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--CAVALIERS-HARDEN’S PLAYOFFS

2. DESCRIPTION: James Harden’s story is well-known: 17 NBA seasons, 17 NBA playoff appearances, zero NBA championships. Cleveland brought him in to try and change that, and in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against Detroit, everything went right for the veteran lefty. By Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds. Text, photos.

3. UPCOMING: By 05/14/2026 3:00 p.m. EDT

4. WITH: BKN-NBA PLAYOFF COVERAGE

5. DESCRIPTION: Coverage of the NBA playoffs

6. UPCOMING: By 05/14/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT

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US-PHILANTHROPY-GLOBAL-CITIZEN

DESCRIPTION: FIFA President Gianni Infantino is expected to participate in the global summit, hosted by Global Citizen, which is producing this summer’s World Cup halftime show.

UPCOMING: By 05/14/2026 3:00 p.m. EDT, Video, Text, Photo

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BBO--RANGERS-SEAGER SLUMP

DESCRIPTION: Corey Seager is going through a slump like none he has ever had to endure in the big leagues. The two-time World Series MVP shortstop is hitless in his last seven games for the Texas Rangers. That is part of a longer 0-for-27 span, also a career worst, that includes 11 strikeouts. By Baseball Writer Stephen Hawkins. 600 words, photos.

SENT: By 05/14/2026 3:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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BBC--BUS DRIVING BUDDIES

DESCRIPTION: Jackie McCloud is a great teammate. After wins, he’s on the field hooting and hollering in the team huddle and doing celebratory belly-bumps with players at the end of the handshake line. He even was in the dogpile a couple years ago when the Wildcats clinched a spot in the College World Series for the first time. He’s a confidant, a spiritual leader, a motivator. He also has been the Wildcats’ bus driver for 17 years and, at 74, has no plans to retire. By Eric Olson. Text, photos.

UPCOMING: By 05/14/2026 4:30 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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SOC--SPANISH ROUNDUP

DESCRIPTION: MADRID -- Real Madrid hosts last-place Oviedo in the Spanish league.

UPCOMING: By 05/14/2026 5:30 p.m. EDT, Text

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HKN--NHL PLAYOFFS COVERAGE

FORMATS: Text, Photo

7. WITH: HKN--GOLDEN KNIGHTS-DUCKS

8. DESCRIPTION: ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Vegas Golden Knights can advance to another Western Conference finals with a victory in Game 6 against the upstart Anaheim Ducks. By Greg Beacham. 400 words, photos.

9. UPCOMING: By 05/14/2026 11:30 p.m. EDT

10. WITH: HKN--HURRICANES-ANDERSEN

11. DESCRIPTION: Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen has been elite in net through the team’s 8-0 start in the playoffs. By Aaron Beard. Text, photos.

12. SENT: By 05/14/2026 11:30 p.m. EDT

13. WITH: HKN--CANADIENS-SABRES

14. DESCRIPTION: The Sabres on Thursday night host the Montreal Canadiens in Game 5 of their NHL second-round playoff series which is tied at 2-2 following Buffalo’s 3-2 win on Tuesday night. By Hockey Writer John Wawrow. 500 words, photos. Game starts at 7 p.m. EDT.

15. UPCOMING: By 05/14/2026 11:30 p.m. EDT

16. WITH: HKN--AVALANCHE ADVANCE

17. DESCRIPTION: DENVER -- The Colorado Avalanche are off to their eighth Western Conference final since moving to Denver before the 1995-96 season. They await the winner of Vegas-Anaheim. By Pat Graham. 500 words, photos.

18. SENT: By 05/14/2026 11:30 p.m. EDT

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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SOC--WCUP--SAUDI PARTNER

Saudi Arabia continues its soccer push with a World Cup deal, even after pulling out of LIV Golf

SUMMARY: Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund may have pulled back from golf, but it has deepened its investment in soccer by becoming an “official tournament supporter” of the World Cup. The kingdom’s public investment fund (PIF) announced this month that it was pulling the plug on future funding for LIV Golf, raising questions about its long-term plans for other sports after its enormous spending in recent years. But in announcing the partnership, it said sport was a “priority sector”. The value of the deal, which covers North America and Asia, was not disclosed, but it further strengthens ties between Saudi Arabia and world soccer’s governing body.

WORDS: 400 - MOVED: 05/14/2026 1:11 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ea321b8b1ccf6adddc8d78bbb109a8d8&mediaType=text

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BBO--METS-INJURIES

Juan Soto returns to lineup for Mets, who also get a positive progress report on Francisco Lindor

SUMMARY: Juan Soto has returned to the starting lineup for the injury-riddled New York Mets, who also learned Francisco Lindor has progressed in his recovery from a strained left calf. Soto exited a 3-2, 10-inning win over the Detroit Tigers in the seventh inning on Wednesday night, four innings after he fouled a ball off his right foot. X-rays were negative and Soto was penciled into the lineup Thursday as the designated hitter for the matinee finale against the Tigers. Manager Carlos Mendoza said Lindor has shown signs of healing, although he is not close to a return.

WORDS: 327 - MOVED: 05/14/2026 12:56 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:be67c2fafdfc37bfd730ff27713cab91&mediaType=text

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GLF--PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

Aronimink not yielding much as PGA Championship begins with moderate scoring

SUMMARY: Aldrich Potgieter has positioned himself well after the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink. He shot a 3-under 67 with six birdies, leading the leaderboard early. The course allowed for some birdies and even a hole-out eagle by Jon Rahm, but remained challenging. Bryson DeChambeau struggled, sitting at 4 over with five holes left. Stephan Jaeger and Min Woo Lee both reached 4 under. Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth played evenly, while Garrick Higgo faced a two-shot penalty for a late start. Braden Shattuck opened with an 81 after a rough start.

WORDS: 414 - MOVED: 05/14/2026 12:54 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:57b88736cf845aeae0b60811a0a97a67&mediaType=text

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FBN--NFL-SCHEDULE

Anticipation builds ahead of the full schedule release for the upcoming NFL season

SUMMARY: The full 2026 NFL schedule will be released Thursday night, completing the list of 272 games over 18 weeks. The season kicks off on Sept. 9 when the Seahawks raise their Super Bowl banner. It’ll be the second time the NFL season opens on a Wednesday — the Giants hosted the Cowboys on Sept. 5, 2012. Several games already were announced, including a record nine international games across four continents. The 49ers face the Rams in Melbourne on Sept. 10 in the first international game of the season. The Steelers play the Saints on Oct. 25 in Paris in the NFL’s first regular-season matchup in France.

WORDS: 280 - MOVED: 05/14/2026 11:27 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8ff938b5ad393d030bf2ea889354e2e1&mediaType=text

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RAC--PREAKNESS-RUSSELL

Brittany Russell, with husband Sheldon riding, could make Preakness history with Taj Mahal

SUMMARY: Brittany Russell has a chance to make horse racing history as the latest woman to train a Triple Crown race winner. Following Cherie DeVaux’s Kentucky Derby win and Jenna Antonucci’s Belmont victory, Russell aims to complete the sweep by winning the Preakness Stakes with Taj Mahal on Saturday. The race takes place at Laurel Park, Russell’s home track, and her husband Sheldon is the jockey. This could make them the first married couple to win a Triple Crown race as trainer and jockey. Taj Mahal is a strong contender, unbeaten in three races at Laurel Park.

WORDS: 743 - MOVED: 05/14/2026 11:25 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2acd525672533112816c91dcc8316024&mediaType=text

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CAR--INDYCAR-INDY 500-NATIONAL ANTHEM

Grammy-nominated Jordin Sparks selected to sing the national anthem at the Indianapolis 500

SUMMARY: Grammy-nominated Jordin Sparks will sing the national anthem at next week’s Indianapolis 500. The singer, songwriter and actress also performed the anthem before the 2015 and 2024 races. This year’s race is scheduled for May 24 and track officials have announced the estimated 275,000 reserved seats are sold out. Sparks became the youngest winner of “American Idol” in the television show’s sixth season. Since then, her singles have generated more than 10 million digital tracks sales in the U.S. Sparks also co-wrote Ariana Grande’s smash single, “The Way.”

WORDS: 313 - MOVED: 05/14/2026 11:15 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6e92637ae054821d83f5cee31f98e290&mediaType=text

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TEN--ITALIAN OPEN

Jannik Sinner breaks Masters record to reach Italian Open semifinals. Coco Gauff back in final

SUMMARY: Jannik Sinner is two victories away from becoming the first home man to win the Italian Open in half a century. The top-ranked Sinner landed shots on the lines repeatedly in a 6-2, 6-4 victory over No. 14 Andrey Rublev to reach the semifinals and move past Novak Djokovic with a record 32nd consecutive victory in Masters 1000 events. The last Italian man to raise the Rome singles trophy was Adriano Panatta in 1976. In the women’s tournament Coco Gauff beat 36-year-old Sorana Cirstea 6-4, 6-3 to reach the final for a second straight year. Three-time Rome champion Iga Swiatek and two-time winner Elina Svitolina play in the other semifinal later.

WORDS: 711 - MOVED: 05/14/2026 10:46 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a7d06cda1b770cc5fd9b01e7c0206cda&mediaType=text

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HKN--OILERS-KNOBLAUCH FIRED

Oilers fire Kris Knoblauch after 1st-round playoff exit that followed 2 Stanley Cup Final trips

SUMMARY: The Edmonton Oilers have fired coach Kris Knoblauch after losing in the first round of the playoffs. Knoblauch guided the Oilers to consecutive trips to the Stanley Cup Final after taking over as a midseason replacement when Jay Woodcroft was fired following a bad start in November 2023. They are now set for their sixth coach in 12 seasons since Connor McDavid entered the NHL and became the best player in the world alongside fellow MVP Leon Draisaitl. General manager Stan Bowman dismissing Knoblauch seems to indicate he will remain in his job along with president of hockey operations Jeff Jackson.

WORDS: 545 - MOVED: 05/14/2026 10:46 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:174082ac2ed8d83cec912cc6c5c68f1c&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-HALFTIME SHOW

FIFA announces Super Bowl-style World Cup final halftime show featuring Madonna, Shakira and BTS

SUMMARY: The World Cup final will feature a star-studded halftime show headlined by Madonna, Shakira and boy-band BTS. FIFA has announced that for the first time the final at the Metlife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19 will include a Super Bowl-style concert. The governing body said the show would support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which is raising $100 million to help children access education and soccer. It will be curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin.

WORDS: 283 - MOVED: 05/14/2026 10:06 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f08a3cc88e5c1dfccf0517941458df2f&mediaType=text

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SOC--YAMAL-ISRAEL

Israeli minister criticizes Barcelona star Lamine Yamal for waving Palestinian flag

SUMMARY: The defense minister of Israel has criticized Barcelona’s teenage star Lamine Yamal for his waving of a Palestinian flag during celebrations of the Spanish league title win. Minister Israel Katz has written on X that Yamal’s waving of the flag “incites hate” against Israel. The 18-year-old Yamal waved a large Palestinian flag from an open-top bus during a victory parade by Barcelona’s team through the city on Monday. Yamal is set to star for Spain at next month’s World Cup to be played in North America.

WORDS: 273 - MOVED: 05/14/2026 9:27 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:bf0efc87de66b5e7fbb99e7c2d4c73af&mediaType=text

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HKO--WORLDS-PREVIEW

Teen Celebrini captains Canada and has Crosby for company at world hockey champs, US defends title

WORDS: 653 - MOVED: 05/14/2026 4:42 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ac14fa9d56723bc9d6fffd5b1bde622c&mediaType=text

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BBO--DIAMONDBACKS-RANGERS FRANTIC FINISH

No closing this game as Rangers beat Dbacks after frantic 9th inning and Jansen’s walk-off hit

SUMMARY: Danny Jansen chuckled after saying he didn’t really want to have to catch another inning. He didn’t have to after he delivered the walk-off hit that gave the Texas Rangers a 6-5 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday night. The closers for both teams gave up three runs in a frantic ninth inning. Jansen says he feels like the game had a bit of everything, including the crazy finish. He ended it with an RBI single on the only pitch thrown by Juan Morillo after replacing Paul Sewald, who had just blown his first save in 10 chances.

WORDS: 480 - MOVED: 05/14/2026 2:10 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:be1847a2e0d3c9048ed9a868a088bbe0&mediaType=text

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MOVING TOMORROW

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GLF—PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

Coverage of the PGA Championship from Aronimink Golf Club.

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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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RAC--PREAKNESS

Coverage of the leadup to 151st rendition of the Preakness Stakes.

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