Cam York scores in OT as Flyers beat Penguins 1-0 in Game 6, reach Round 2
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Cam York scored in overtime, sending the Philadelphia Flyers to the second round for the first time in six years. The Flyers defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 1-0 in Game 6 on Wednesday night. Dan Vladar shined in net, stopping all 42 shots. Sidney Crosby and the Penguins aimed to become the fifth team in NHL history to win a series after trailing 3-0 but fell short. The Flyers, under coach Rick Tocchet, advance to face Carolina. This marks their first playoff appearance since 2020 and their first home series since 2018.
Cade Cunningham comes through for Pistons on the brink, outduels Magic star Paolo Banchero in Game 5
DETROIT (AP) — Cade Cunningham came through for the Detroit Pistons when they needed him. Detroit was teetering on the brink of elimination, and Cunningham outdueled Paolo Banchero in a sensational scoring matchup of former No. 1 overall picks. Cunningham had a franchise playoff-record 45 points and the top-seeded Pistons held off the eighth-seeded Orlando Magic for a 116-109 win on Wednesday night in Game 5 of their first-round series, avoiding elimination for at least a couple more days. Orlando leads the series 3-2 and will get a second chance to advance at home on Friday night.
Lightning on the brink of elimination after another home playoff loss
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Another home loss in the playoffs has the Tampa Bay Lightning on the brink of an early vacation again. Andrei Vasilevskiy allowed a fluke goal on the day he was nominated for the Vezina Trophy, the offense struggled to win face-offs, lucky bounces went the other way and the Lightning lost to the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 on Wednesday night to fall behind 3-2 in the series. Game 6 is Friday night in Montreal. The Lightning are facing a fourth straight first-round elimination since falling two wins short of a Stanley Cup three-peat in 2022.
Arsenal and Atletico exchange penalty goals in 1-1 draw in 1st leg of Champions League semifinals
MADRID (AP) — Atletico Madrid and Arsenal have drawn 1-1 in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals. It was a gritty encounter in Madrid between the clubs trying to return to the final after a long absence and looking to win the European title for the first time. It was a harsh contrast to Tuesday’s semifinal, when defending champion Paris Saint-Germain edged Bayern Munich 5-4 in a thriller in France. Viktor Gyökeres put Arsenal ahead at the Metropolitano stadium by converting a 44th-minute penalty kick. Julián Alvarez equalized for Atletico — also from the penalty spot — in the 56th.
Yasir Al-Rumayyan leaving board of LIV Golf as Saudi funding dries up, report says
Sports Business Journal has reported that Yasir Al-Rumayyan is resigning as chairman of LIV Golf. Al-Rumayyan is the governor of the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia and the man behind the creation of LIV Golf. Even with Greg Norman as the first CEO, it was Al-Rumayyan who was the face of the league. He also was the one who signed a framework agreement with the PGA Tour that ultimately only ended lawsuits. His resignation comes at a time when LIV Golf plans to announce its strategy going forward without Saudi funding. That includes a new board of directors.
This year's World Cup games could be sizzling. Here's what's being done to prepare for extreme heat
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The 2022 World Cup tournament in Qatar was moved from summer to winter because of the threat of extreme heat. But if the record-breaking heat that scorched the Southwest in March is any indication, summer temperatures in cities hosting World Cup games this year could be sizzling. In Los Angeles, officials are planning temporary pop-up hydration stations, shade structures and a public messaging campaign on how to stay safe in the heat. For the Dallas games and related events, plans include tents with misters, water distribution and multiple first aid stations, and medical personnel will have immediate access to ice immersion bags and ice. In Seattle, city officials are looking into providing air-conditioned buses, tents and water misters.
Schroder, Mobley rally Cavaliers in 4th quarter for 125-120 win over Raptors to take 3-2 series lead
CLEVELAND (AP) — Dennis Schroder scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter, Evan Mobley hit a pair of pivotal 3-pointers in the final period and finished with 23 points, and the Cleveland Cavaliers rallied for a 125-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors in Game 5 of their first-round series. Cleveland leads the series 3-2. Game 6 is Friday night in Toronto. James Harden scored 23 points and Donovan Mitchell added 19 for the Cavaliers. RJ Barrett led Toronto with 25 points while Ja’Kobe Walter added 20 and Jamal Shead had 18 off the bench. All-star forward Brandon Ingram left the game in the second quarter with right heel inflammation.
Austin Reaves returns to Lakers' lineup for Game 5 after missing 9 games with oblique injury
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Austin Reaves returned from a nine-game injury absence Wednesday night when the Los Angeles Lakers attempted to finish their first-round playoff series with the Houston Rockets in Game 5. Reaves had been out since April 2 with strained oblique muscles, missing the final five games of the Lakers’ regular season and the first four games of the postseason. Reaves came off the bench for the Lakers in Game 5, who kept the same starting lineup that had taken them to a 3-1 series lead. Reaves immediately made an impact when he checked in midway through the first quarter, making a 3-pointer from 30 feet away on his first shot. Reaves finished the first half with 11 points and six assists. Houston led 51-47.
Sanoja has 2-out bloop single to spark Marlins to 3-2 victory over Dodgers
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Javier Sanoja singled in the go-ahead run with two outs in the eighth inning, lifting the Miami Marlins over the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-2. Sanoja's infield blooper off reliever Will Klein scored Xavier Edwards, who singled leading off. Sanoja entered in the sixth as a defensive replacement in left field. Liam Hicks and Esteury Ruiz hit solo homers for the Marlins, who took two of three from the Dodgers for the first time in Los Angeles since April 2018. The Dodgers trailed in the bottom of the ninth in all three games. The game ended on a double play. The Dodgers unsuccessfully challenged it.
George Pickens signs $27.3 million franchise tag with Cowboys, opening door for offseason work
FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Dallas Cowboys receiver George Pickens has signed his $27.3 million franchise tag. The move makes it almost certain the Pro Bowler will show up for mandatory offseason work while the club remains adamant it has no plans to trade CeeDee Lamb’s sidekick. Pickens informed the Cowboys just hours before the start of the NFL draft last week that he intended to sign the one-year tender. That development sparked trade speculation, but the Cowboys shut it down. The 25-year-old Pickens was acquired last year in a trade with Pittsburgh and went on to have a breakout season alongside Lamb.
