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--NBA PLAYOFF COVERAGE

2. DESCRIPTION: Coverage of the NBA conference finals

3. UPCOMING: By 05/18/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT

4. WITH: BKN--CAVALIERS-KNICKS PREVIEW

5. DESCRIPTION: GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- The New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers met in their season openers and on Christmas Day, marquee spots on the schedule because they were expected to be the Eastern Conference’s top teams. They start finding out which one is the best Tuesday night in Game 1 of the conference finals.

6. UPCOMING: By 05/18/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT

7. WITH: BKN--SPURS-THUNDER

8. DESCRIPTION: OKLAHOMA CITY -- MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder open defense of their Western Conference title on Monday night, when Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs visit to open that series. Game begins 8:30 p.m. EDT. By Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds. Text, photos.

9. UPCOMING: By 05/18/2026 11:00 p.m. EDT

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BKL--AROUND THE WNBA

DESCRIPTION: The Chicago Sky got off to a hot start to the season, but the health of young star Rickea Jackson is foremost on their minds after she had a non-contact injury on her left knee in Sunday’s win over Minnesota. Jackson injured her knee in the second quarter and will have an MRI on Monday. The Sky went 3-1 on the season opening road trip and will return home to face Dallas on Wednesday. The 6-foot-2 forward was acquired by the Sky in the offseason in a trade with Los Angeles. She was averaging 22 points a game before getting hurt Sunday. By Basketball Writer Doug Feinberg.

UPCOMING: By 05/18/2026 2:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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BKL--STORM-MALONGA

DESCRIPTION: SEATTLE -- One year removed from being named to the 2025 WNBA All-Rookie Team, Dominique Malonga gave a basic French lesson to thousands of chuckling fans during the Seattle Storm home opener. The No. 2 overall pick from last year’s draft was instantly marketed as a star by the Storm, which is precisely what the team thinks she can turn into after breaking out as a 19-year-old. By Andrew Destin. 750 words. Photos.

UPCOMING: By 05/18/2026 3:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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SOC--ENGLISH ROUNDUP

DESCRIPTION: LONDON - Arsenal can move to the brink of winning the Premier League by beating already-relegated Burnley at home. 400 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 05/18/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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HKN--NHL PLAYOFFS COVERAGE

FORMATS: Text, Photo

10. WITH: HKN--CANADIENS-SABRES

11. DESCRIPTION: The Buffalo Sabres are 2-4 at home in the postseason, and host the Montreal Canadiens in Game 7 of their second-round playoff series on Monday night. The winner advances to face the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference finals that open on Thursday. By John Wawrow. 600 words, photos. Game starts at 7:30 p.m. EDT.

12. UPCOMING: By 05/18/2026 11:00 p.m. EDT

13. WITH: HKN--GOLDEN KNIGHTS-MARNER

14. DESCRIPTION: Mitch Marner continues to prove his skeptics wrong that he can’t perform in the postseason with 18 points, which leads all skaters in the NHL playoffs. That includes what might be the goal of the year in the clinching victory over the Anaheim Ducks.

15. UPCOMING: By 05/18/2026 11:00 p.m. EDT

16. WITH: HKN--WILD-NEXT STEPS

17. DESCRIPTION: The Minnesota Wild made it to mid-May this year behind breakthrough seasons by key parts of their young core and the arrival of star defenseman Quinn Hughes, but taking the next steps in the NHL’s toughest division will require more progress on the ice and perhaps bold moves off of it. By Dave Campbell. 600 words, photos.

18. UPCOMING: By 05/18/2026 11:00 p.m. EDT

19. WITH: HKN--CONFERENCE FINALS LOOKAHEAD

20. DESCRIPTION: Big boy hockey is here in the Eastern and Western Conference finals, with three of the top five Stanley Cup favorites still playing. NHL-best Colorado faces a huge challenge against Vegas, while Carolina has 11 full days between rounds before Game 1 against Buffalo or Montreal. The Avalanche and Hurricanes look to be on a crash course, but it might not be an easy path for either. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. Text, photos.

21. UPCOMING: By 05/18/2026 11:00 p.m. EDT

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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BKN--PELICANS-MOSLEY

Pelicans hire ex-Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley as New Orleans’ next coach

SUMMARY: The New Orleans Pelicans have hired Jamahl Mosley as their next coach, ending interim coach James Borrego’s candidacy to retain his job on a permanent basis. Mosley spent the past five seasons with Orlando, which fired him this month after the Magic’s seven-game, first-round playoff loss to the Detroit Pistons. Mosley went 189-221 with Orlando. His teams qualified for the NBA playoffs in each of the past three seasons and won the Southeast Division twice, but were eliminated in the first round each time. Borrego went 24-46 as Pelicans interim coach.

WORDS: 569 - MOVED: 05/18/2026 1:27 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:aa1b989eb9534650811ca5620c5f63e8&mediaType=text

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CAR--NASCAR-OLD MAN HAMLIN

Denny Hamlin doing his homework to stay on top of NASCAR heading into Coca-Cola 600

SUMMARY: Denny Hamlin is the oldest driver on the circuit and he will be among the favorites to win the longest race in NASCAR. Tyler Reddick and Chase Elliott are also expected to be strong at Charlotte Motor Speedway but their combined total of 21 Cup starts at the track is dwarfed by Hamlin’s career total of 34. Coming off his second All-Star Race victory, the 45-year-old Hamlin seems primed for his second Coca-Cola 600 win at Charlotte, one of seven 1.5-mile tracks. In the past three races on 1.5-mile speedways, Hamlin has a win, a second and a fourth.

WORDS: 956 - MOVED: 05/18/2026 1:02 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b6aba6b3c10af931f60094fb40ac0a1d&mediaType=text

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FBN--STEELERS-RODGERS

Aaron Rodgers hits the practice field after signing 1-year deal to stay with the Steelers

SUMMARY: Aaron Rodgers didn’t waste time getting back to work with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The four-time MVP quarterback was on the field for voluntary organized team activities just minutes after signing a one-year deal to return for a 22nd season. The signing reunites Rodgers with first-year Pittsburgh coach Mike McCarthy. The two previously worked together in Green Bay, where they won a Super Bowl against Pittsburgh in the 2010 season. Last season, the 42-year-old quarterback led Pittsburgh to an AFC North title, throwing 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

WORDS: 154 - MOVED: 05/18/2026 12:16 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:af9203fd7f5ec7a64c9ca0b3c0edb501&mediaType=text

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GLF--US OPEN

Adam Scott officially set for 100th consecutive major at US Open as field starts to fill

SUMMARY: Adam Scott is officially set for his 100th consecutive major. Scott is among 24 players who were exempt from qualifying for the U.S. Open next month at Shinnecock Hills. The U.S. Open takes the top 60 in the world ranking after the PGA Championship. Scott was outside that number a month ago, but recent good play has moved him to No. 49. Matti Schmid and Alex Smalley took turns leading the PGA Championship until Aaron Rai won. Schmid and Smalley got into the U.S. Open with their performance. There are two 36-hole qualifiers in England and Dallas on Monday.

WORDS: 518 - MOVED: 05/18/2026 11:55 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:81783507c11e31f827f6beeafcf21a72&mediaType=text

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GLF--PGA CHAMPIONSHIP-RAI

Aaron Rai leans on humble roots and hard work to become a major champion

SUMMARY: Aaron Rai recalls watching VHS tapes of Tiger Woods when he was a boy growing up in England. So it was incredible for him to see his name on the Wanamaker Trophy after his astonishing charge to win the PGA Championship. Rai played the final 10 holes in 6 under. The only player who did better than that to win a major was Jack Nicklaus in the 1986 Masters. Rai zoomed past some of golf’s best players. He says everyone in golf has an amazing journey to become a major champion. But his stands out for humility and hard work.

WORDS: 942 - MOVED: 05/18/2026 9:58 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:55da52369e6f2953fc138711c698d256&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-FIFA-BETTING SPONSOR

FIFA signs another World Cup sponsor deal with the gambling industry

SUMMARY: FIFA has added another gambling industry sponsor to the 2026 World Cup by signing Greece-based betting brand Betano to a regional deal covering Europe and South America. Betano was the World Cup’s first-ever betting sponsor four years ago. Its parent company Kaizen Gaming signed a Europe-only deal for the 2022 edition in Qatar. The value for the new deal was not stated. FIFA deepened its ties to betting and gambling with two other World Cup deals this year. Predictions market newcomer ADI Predictstreet is a top-tier partner. A deal with data provider Stats Perform lets some betting operators livestream games.

WORDS: 352 - MOVED: 05/18/2026 9:06 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c93839cfbe0f5ad230accfac8c48adcf&mediaType=text

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BBO--WHITE SOX-MURAKAMI

Munetaka Murakami looks right at home with young Chicago White Sox

SUMMARY: Munetaka Murakami wasn’t supposed to end up with the Chicago White Sox. But it’s working out quite well at the moment. Murakami has fit right in with a promising group of young position players in Chicago, and they have been mashing the ball so far this season. Murakami has an AL-leading 17 homers and a team-high 32 RBIs through Sunday’s action, and the surprising White Sox are tied for second in the majors with 66 homers overall. Murakami entered MLB’s posting system in November. When the market was lighter than expected, the White Sox signed the slugger to a $34 million, two-year contract in December.

WORDS: 753 - MOVED: 05/18/2026 8:49 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f7a382f3d256cb5ba8651679186f5b4b&mediaType=text

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TEN--FRENCH OPEN-SINNER

Jannik Sinner enters the French Open on a 29-match win streak, chasing a career Grand Slam

SUMMARY: By sweeping the first five Masters 1000 tournaments of the year top-ranked Jannik Sinner has dominated tennis like few other players have in the sport’s recent history. He has amassed a 29-match winning streak. And yet now the stakes are rising for Sinner as he attempts to complete a career Grand Slam by winning the French Open. The clay-court Grand Slam starts on Sunday in Paris and it’s the only major that Sinner hasn’t won. A couple of hours after becoming the first Italian man to win the Italian Open in 50 years Sinner’s focus was already pivoting toward Roland Garros. He says “my main goal is and remains Paris.”

WORDS: 729 - MOVED: 05/18/2026 7:53 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5022c59e95457c250ad51b4f4d3d20b3&mediaType=text

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TEN--STRASBOURG-KEYS WITHDRAWS

Injured Madison Keys withdraws from French Open warmup tournament

SUMMARY: Madison Keys has withdrawn from a French Open warmup tournament due to a left thigh injury. The 19th-ranked American was set to play at the Internationaux de Strasbourg this week, where she won the title in 2024. Keys says Monday she has decided to withdraw to focus on getting healthy for Roland Garros. The French Open starts on May 24 in Paris. Keys reached the semifinals at the clay-court Grand Slam in 2018. She retired from the final of the Trophee Clarins while leading Diane Parry 6-3, 3-3 on Sunday.

WORDS: 119 - MOVED: 05/18/2026 6:54 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0d50b4929f8b21a4a48c33bfa3b54f6b&mediaType=text

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GLF--HARM’S WAY

This golfer nearly died after being hit by a drunken driver. Now she’s won her first pro title

SUMMARY: German golfer Leonie Harm has won her first professional title on the Ladies European Tour, 13 years after nearly dying when she was hit by a drunken driver. Harm birdied her last two holes to win the German Masters on Sunday for a golfing breakthrough that seemed destined not to happen in 2013 when she went for an early-morning run before school. Harm was hit by a car being driven at 45 miles per hour by a woman who had been drinking alcohol. Harm said she suffered collapsed lungs, a skull fracture and had hematomas in her brain, while she also broke her ribs, hip and ankle. She was put in a medically induced coma. Harm says she has shown “resilience” in the tough times in her life.

WORDS: 366 - MOVED: 05/18/2026 6:17 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:dde8b95eb12411a3c7b4b232d9f31aa6&mediaType=text

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BBO--THIS WEEK IN BASEBALL

Bobby Witt Jr. is scorching. Why can’t the Royals turn it into wins?

SUMMARY: A couple years ago, the Kansas City Royals were in the playoffs as a wild card and won a round. With Bobby Witt Jr. signed to a lengthy contract, their future looked pretty interesting.Then the Royals slid back in 2025 — but only slightly, to 82 wins. The start to this year is more concerning. Witt remains an MVP-caliber player. In fact, he’s hit .395 with four homers over his last 10 games. Problem is, Kansas City lost seven of them. With the AL Central looking as winnable as ever, the Royals still can’t get any traction. They’re tied with Detroit for last place.

WORDS: 701 - MOVED: 05/18/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4cdc877ec4f157921b5e9e74e9344729&mediaType=text

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TEN--UKRAINE-TITLES

Elina Svitolina and Marta Kostyuk raise trophies for war-torn Ukraine on the tennis court

SUMMARY: It’s more than just poignant and intentional handshake snubs from Ukrainian players on the tennis courts these days. With Elina Svitolina and Marta Kostyuk leading the way there have been trophies to raise too. Svitolina’s Italian Open title over the weekend made it back-to-back WTA 1000 titles for Ukraine after Kostyuk’s Madrid Open victory two weeks earlier. Svitolina paid tribute during the trophy presentation to “all the people back in Ukraine who’ve been supporting me, been watching at nights being in the bomb shelters” three days after one of the deadliest attacks on Kyiv in the 4-year-old war with Russia.

WORDS: 704 - MOVED: 05/18/2026 5:45 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e61c2ac1c24e2ec2b3289771222e8a22&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-NEW ZEALAND-FLYING KIWIS

The Flying Kiwis: No longer flightless, spreading football fandom at the World Cup

SUMMARY: A group of New Zealanders known as the Flying Kiwis travels the world to support their national soccer team. Despite New Zealand’s traditional dominance in rugby, these fans have embraced football culture. Matt Fejos, a founding member, says the Flying Kiwis started as a group of friends and has grown to include New Zealanders around the globe since 2009. Although small in number, their unity stands out. New Zealand faces tough World Cup opponents but the Flying Kiwis remain passionate and proud of their unique identity.

WORDS: 742 - MOVED: 05/18/2026 3:34 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d89fa23a56cb8f2b4a76d5964ed11122&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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FBN--NFL-QBS-MID-ROUND INTRIGUE

Carson Beck, Drew Allar and Cade Klubnik were among several quarterbacks taken in the middle-to-late rounds of this year’s NFL draft. Mid-round QBs often face a tough path for playing time, but there have been a few in recent years who have found success. By David Brandt.

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