Jordan Staal scores twice including game winner as Hurricanes pull even with Golden Knights
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Jordan Staal scored his second goal of the game while stretched out on his stomach at 6:32 of the third period to put the Carolina Hurricanes ahead for good in their 5-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. The win on Tuesday night evened the Stanley Cup Final after four games. Game 5 is Thursday night at Carolina. Nikolaj Ehlers added an empty-net goal and two assists for the Hurricanes, Jackson Blake had a goal and an assist, Logan Stankoven scored a goal. Brandon Bussi made 18 saves. Mark Stone, William Karlsson and Brett Howden scored goals for the Golden Knights, and Carter Hart made 23 saves
Staal's acrobatic backhand shot gives Hurricanes win over Golden Knights, ties Stanley Cup Final
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal chose the simple approach to Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final with Carolina trailing in the best-of-seven series. But, the 20-year veteran’s game-winning goal Tuesday night was anything but simple. Then again, considering how he has played against the Vegas Golden Knights in this series, perhaps it was. With the game tied at 3 in the third period, Staal’s sprawling backhand shot while in mid-air with 13:29 left beat Vegas’ Carter Hart and found the back of the net for his second score of the game, and it held up as the winner in the 5-3 victory. The series is tied at 2-all heading back to Carolina on Thursday.
It's not just the Knicks: Trump's attendance at big games often spells trouble for the home team
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump seems to bring bad luck to home teams when he attends big games. The New York Knicks lost Game 3 of the NBA Finals to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday with Trump in attendance despite winning the last two games on the road. He similarly may have had a jinxing role for the Washington Nationals in the World Series during his first term. There are some exceptions, including when the New York Yankees won with Trump watching last September. Some Knicks fans blame Trump for their recent loss. The White House counters that Trump is “the greatest champion for sports of any president in American history.”
Knicks in 6: NY man’s high school yearbook prediction 6 years ago goes viral
NEW YORK (AP) — A New York man has gone viral for a prediction he made in his high school yearbook six years ago that the New York Knicks would win an NBA title in 2026. Evan Pfeufer chose to have “Knicks in 6. 2026 NBA Finals” written next to his portrait in the 2020 Smithtown High School West yearbook. The prescient prediction has gone viral after he shared it on social media recently. One Instagram post has more than 130,000 views. The Knicks lead the San Antonio Spurs 2-1 in the best of seven series. The teams play again Wednesday.
Paul Skenes is in a bit of a rough patch. A visit to a local Little League field cleared his head
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Paul Skenes, the Pirates ace, recently found himself at a Little League practice in Pittsburgh. While driving on an off day, the reigning NL Cy Young winner noticed kids practicing decided to stop by. The 24-year-old spent two hours playing catch and signing autographs, reminding himself of the simple joys of baseball. This break came during a tough stretch for him and the Pirates. Skenes is winless in his last five starts following a 12-2 loss to Los Angeles in which the Dodgers erupted for 10 runs after Skenes exited. Skenes says he's focusing on the process and believes better results are coming. He described his stop to hang out with the Little Leaguers as an important reminder of why he started playing baseball in the first place.
Serena returns: Williams makes a winning comeback in doubles at Queen's Club with Mboko
LONDON (AP) — After nearly four years away from professional tennis, Serena Williams has made a winning return at Queen’s Club. The 44-year-old Williams showed she still has plenty of her trademark power, hitting service winners of up to 120 mph as she teamed up with 19-year-old Canadian Victoria Mboko to win their opening doubles match at the grass-court tournament. Williams and Mboko beat third-seeded duo Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe 7-6 (2), 6-2 in Williams’ first professional match since the 2022 U.S. Open. The American last week announced her return to doubles, but has yet to decide whether to target a comeback in singles as well.
Bengals restructure Joe Burrow's contract to free up cap space, AP source says
The Cincinnati Bengals have restructured the contract of franchise quarterback Joe Burrow, a person familiar with the move told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the move was not announced. The restructured deal was first reported by ESPN and NFL Network. Cincinnati gains around $10 million in cap space by spreading out some of his base salary over the final three years of the deal — 2027 through ’29. Burrow signed a five-year, $275-million extension in 2023. The Bengals found themselves low on cap space after acquiring defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence from the New York Giants before the NFL draft and signing him to a one-year extension worth $28 million.
Benfica says Mourinho has agreed a move to Real Madrid after Arbeloa departure announced
MADRID (AP) — Benfica says its coach José Mourinho has agreed to return to Real Madrid, which earlier announced that it had parted ways with coach Álvaro Arbeloa. Madrid President Florentino Pérez had vowed to bring Mourinho back as part of his campaign promises that led to his re-election on Sunday. Benfica said late Tuesday in a note to shareholders that Madrid had formally agreed to pay Benfica 15 million euros ($17.3 million) for Mourinho with the Portuguese coach agreeing to the move. Benfica added: “Thank you, José Mourinho.” Madrid has made no official announcement. Mourinho coached the club from 2010-2013. Benfica said it had agreed a two-year deal with former Fulham manager Marco Silva to replace Mourinho.
MLB's hitters are struggling to thrive after 35 in the age of analytics and increased velocity
PHOENIX (AP) — It's a tough time to be a veteran MLB hitter these days. Only a handful of players who have hit the age of 35 are having success in the big leagues this season, including Nolan Arenado, Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy and Christian Walker. The share of production from MLB players age 35 or over has had a steep drop over the past 25 years. There are several reasons for the move, including an trend toward younger players that's driven by analytics and increased fastball velocity. Arenado and other are thriving thanks to the ability to adapt to their older bodies, changing habits that might have been ingrained early in their careers.
Judge dismisses lawsuit by 31 former NC State athletes alleging abuse, misconduct by ex-head trainer
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A state judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by 31 former N.C. State male athletes alleging sexual abuse under the guise of treatment and harassment by the Wolfpack’s former director of sports medicine. In orders filed Tuesday, Wake County Superior Court Judge Bryan Collins dismissed claims against Robert M. Murphy Jr., as well as multiple N.C. State athletics officials tied to their oversight rules. Collins cited procedural reasons. That included an expired statute of limitations on claims dating back as early as 2013. Durham-based attorney Kerry Sutton has represented the players and says they plan to appeal.
