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The Carolina Hurricanes shocked the New York Islanders on Monday night, scoring the game-tying and winning goals just nine seconds apart in the third period, giving them a 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference Round 1 series. "This one's long from over, but right now, this one hurts the gut," Islanders captain Anders Lee said after the 5-3 loss in Raleigh, North Carolina. With his team's net empty, Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho deflected an Andrei Svechnikov pass to tie the game with 2:15 left in the third period, erasing a 3-0 lead the Islanders had built in the first 23:54 of the game. "When you're down three, it's a once in a lifetime-type of game," Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour said. "I'm just proud of the way they kept playing." Jordan Martinook gave Carolina the lead just nine seconds later, stealing the puck from defenseman Noah Dobson on the forecheck and tucking it behind Islanders goalie Semyon Varlamov,...

NEW YORK -- After the Philadelphia 76ers let a precious road playoff victory slip through their fingers in the most dramatic of fashions in Game 2 of their first-round series against the New York Knicks, losing 104-101 on Monday night, 76ers superstar center Joel Embiid declared Philadelphia will go on to win the series. "We're good," Embiid said, sitting inside Madison Square Garden's visitors locker room. "We're going to win this series. "We are going to win this. We know what we got to fix. We did a better job today, so we are going to fix it. "We are the better team. We are going to keep fighting." For a few minutes, it felt like the 76ers had gutted out what would have been an incredibly important and impressive victory to even this series at a game apiece, after taking a five-point lead with 47.3 seconds to go when Kyle Lowry split a pair of free throws. But then, in a 14.3-second span, Jalen Brunson had a 3-pointer bounce...

BOSTON -- On the heels of a 3-2 loss, coach Jim Montgomery stood behind his choice to start Linus Ullmark over Jeremy Swayman in Game 2 of the Boston Bruins' first-round Stanley Cup playoff series against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday night. Ullmark, who finished with 30 stops, got the call in net even after Swayman was dominant making 35 saves for Boston in a 5-1 victory over the Leafs in Saturday's Game 1. "No second guesses," Montgomery said. "He was terrific. Made multiple big-time saves." Montgomery had flat-out refused to name a starter leading up to Monday's game while being peppered with questions about whether he'd keep the Bruins' established rotation alive. Boston had strictly alternated between Swayman and Ullmark since February; Monday was the 28th straight game they'd employed the same tactic. It just wasn't something Montgomery was willing to comment on publicly, and the guessing game continued right until warmups of Game...

The Minnesota Timberwolves' ownership dispute between majority owner Glen Taylor and the Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez group will advance to a mediation session on May 1 in Minneapolis, sources told ESPN on Monday. Taylor ended what had been a three-year ownership succession plan in late March when he announced that Lore and Rodriguez had failed to meet deadlines on the sales conditions to assume majority ownership this spring. Lore and Rodriguez are aggressively in dispute of Taylor's assertions and are pushing to restore the original agreement, which called for an automatic 90-day extension to obtain NBA approval and majority ownership. As part of the original contract, mediation is the first step in the process of finding a resolution to the ongoing conflict. Despite the ownership unrest, the Timberwolves were the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference for the first time and have a 1-0 lead over Phoenix in the opening round of the Western Conference playoffs. The...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Coach Andy Reid, general manager Brett Veach and president Mark Donovan have had oversight of the Kansas City Chiefs for the most successful run in franchise history. The trio will remain in place for awhile longer. The three agreed to contract extensions that will keep them with the Chiefs. "Mark, Brett and Andy have achieved historic success together, and we are thrilled that they will continue in their roles for many years to come," Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt said in a statement. "Individually, Mark, Brett and Andy each represent the best in the National Football League at their respective positions, and together, they make up one of the finest leadership teams in all of professional sports. They have been tremendous leaders for this organization on and off the field, and we look forward to their continued success in the years ahead." Reid, 66, joined the Chiefs in 2013 and has led the team to the playoffs every season since except 2014. The Chiefs...

CLEVELAND -- Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs was able to return to Monday night's Game 2 at  Cleveland after being carried off the court in the first quarter with a left knee strain. Suggs was injured with 4:02 remaining in the opening period, when his left knee made contact with Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell's left leg as Suggs attempted to steal the ball. Suggs immediately fell to the ground, and the Magic called timeout to check on him. As his teammates stood around him, Suggs continuously shook his head. After being checked by team trainers, Suggs needed help getting off the court, unable to put any weight on his left leg and walk off on his own power. The Magic initially said Suggs' return was questionable, but he was back on the floor to start the second half with a sleeve on his leg. Suggs is Orlando's third-leading scorer, averaging 12.6 points on 47.1% field goal shooting during the regular season. He's also the team's best 3-point...

CLEVELAND -- Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs is questionable to return to Monday night's Game 2 at Cleveland after being helped off the court with what the team called a left knee strain. Suggs was injured with 4:02 remaining in the first quarter, when his left knee made contact with Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell's left leg as Suggs attempted to steal the ball. Suggs immediately fell to the ground, and the Magic called timeout to check on him. As his teammates stood around him, Suggs continuously shook his head. After being checked by team trainers, Suggs needed help getting off the court, unable to walk off on his own power and put any weight on his left leg. Suggs is Orlando's third-leading scorer, averaging 12.6 points on 47.1% field goal shooting during the regular season. He's also the team's best 3-point shooter and top defensive guard.  In Game 1, he finished with 13 points on 4-of-16 shooting and was 1-of-7 from 3. He also had 4...

Karter Knox, the No. 26 recruit in the  2024 ESPN 100 who had decommitted from  Kentucky, has recommitted to John Calipari at Arkansas, he told ESPN on Monday. "Throughout my whole recruiting process, Coach Cal always said he wants to make me a pro, and I trust that he will do that for me at Arkansas," Knox said. "I also have a great relationship with Coach Kenny Payne, so getting to play for two coaches I admire is a dream come true. I'm looking forward to getting there, getting to work and bringing a winning mentality to Fayetteville." Payne, the former Louisville head coach, is joining Calipari's staff as associate head coach. Knox is one of the most aggressive scorers in high school basketball, averaging 22.2 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 30 minutes in the Overtime Elite League this season. He converted 81 3-pointers in 30 games for RWE, which lost in the decisive Game 5 of the OTE Finals to the City Reapers. Knox also posted...

The Buffalo Sabres have rehired Lindy Ruff, the last head coach to lead the franchise to the NHL playoffs back in 2011. Ruff, 64, was fired by the New Jersey Devils after 61 games this season. He replaces Don Granato, whom the Sabres fired after three seasons. Ruff coached the Sabres for 15 seasons, from 1997 to 2013. He ranks fifth all time and second among active coaches with 864 career regular-season wins for the Sabres, the  Dallas Stars and the Devils. His 935 combined wins in the regular season and playoffs are tied for fourth in league history. "As I went through the hiring process, it quickly became clear Lindy was the person for the job. He has experience, a proven track record, familiarity with young players and so much more," Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said. Adams worked as an assistant coach under Ruff in 2011-12 and during the 2012-13 season, when Ruff was replaced by Ron Rolston. The Sabres have gone through six different coaches...

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Before taking any questions at his annual pre-draft news conference, San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch did his best to preempt any queries about the one topic that has lingered over the franchise this offseason: wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk's contract situation. Lynch opened Monday's session by spending the first three minutes thanking his personnel department for their work leading up to this week's draft. He then offered a disclaimer on Aiyuk before inevitably receiving multiple questions about him. "I've communicated on many occasions: our wish is that he's here and part of the Niners for the rest of his career," Lynch said. "We're working through that ... I can say we're having good talks, and I'm just going to leave it at that." Indeed, Lynch's opening statement about Aiyuk lines up with everything both he and coach Kyle Shanahan have said about the star wideout for more than a year. Which is to say that, despite the constant...

Inter Milan beat city rivals  AC Milan  2-1 on Monday to clinch the Serie A title, the 20th time the club has lifted the trophy in its history. Goals either side of half-time by  Francesco Acerbi and Marcus Thuram set Inter on their way, but Fikayo Tomori pulled one back for AC Milan in the 80th minute and each side had a player sent off shortly before the end of the game as tempers flared. - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) Inter were able to see out the result, though, and when the whistle blew to end the game they sat on an insurmountable 86 points, 17 clear of Milan with five games to play in the season. "I told the guys, 'We find ourselves in a situation that's never happened before,'" Inter captain Lautaro Martínez said. "We needed to take advantage of this opportunity, because look around, the entire stadium is ours now." At the final whistle, a beaming Martinez and teammate ...

Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin, after losing starter Quinshon Judkins via transfer to Ohio State, has added yet another option to the running backs room with Miami Hurricanes'  Henry Parrish Jr. Parrish started his career at Ole Miss, rushing for more than 800 yards and five touchdowns over the 2020 and 2021 seasons. After transferring to Miami, Parrish ran for more than 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns over two seasons. He has one year of eligibility remaining. Judkins led Ole Miss in rushing last season with 1,158 yards and 15 touchdowns during an All-SEC season, but the staff has since filled the room with potential contributors. Parrish will be joining former LSU back Logan Diggs, who transferred after rushing for 653 yards and seven touchdowns this past season, as well as former New Mexico back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who led the Lobos with 1,190 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns. Kiffin and his coaches also...

Colorado freshman guard Cody Williams -- an expected lottery pick -- is entering the 2024 NBA draft, he told ESPN on Monday. Williams -- No. 10 in ESPN's list of Top 100 prospects -- is one of the class's best defenders and brought an elite level of intensity guarding the best scorer that Colorado faced on most nights. His 6-foot-8 frame and 7-foot-1 wingspan was especially problematic for smaller guards. Williams -- who is the younger brother of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams -- showed an ability to attack in the open floor using his size, long strides, footwork and creativity as a finisher to convert 59% of his two-point attempts. Also, Williams made 42% of his three-pointers on a small sample size, just under two attempts a game. Williams averaged 11.9 points, three rebounds and 1.9 assists on 55.2% shooting in 24 games for the Buffaloes. Williams has strong basketball instincts and is a late bloomer on a similar developmental trajectory...

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The New York Jets, who thought they had the quarterback position locked up for more than a decade when they drafted Zach Wilson with the No. 2 pick in 2021, traded him to the Denver Broncos on Monday, a source confirmed to ESPN. Based on their original investment, the Jets got pennies on the dollar -- they will receive a sixth-round selection (No. 203) in this week's NFL draft from the Broncos, who in addition to Wilson will get a seventh-round pick (No. 256). The Jets and Broncos are splitting the $5.5 million Wilson is due this season with each team paying $2.75 million, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. The trade means that only one of the five quarterbacks selected in the first round of the 2021 draft remains with his original team -- Trevor Lawrence, who was picked No. 1 overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars. The other four -- Wilson, Trey Lance (No. 3 pick), Justin Fields (No. 11) and Mac Jones...

After 15 seasons, four Pro Bowls and a Most Valuable Player award, former Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Ryan announced his retirement Monday, officially ending the career of one of the most durable and consistent players of his generation. Ryan made the announcement in a video statement posted to social media by the Falcons. "So today, 16 years after being drafted, my childhood dream has officially come to an end. I'm honored to retire as a Falcon," he said. He added, "You have no control in this profession in where you start. I am so lucky that my start and my finish was here in Atlanta." Falcons owner Arthur Blank, in a statement released Monday, said he firmly believes Ryan should be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, "and I look forward to that day." During a news conference Monday, Blank added, "This is an exceptional football player, but probably more exceptional as a human being, as a husband, as a...

NEW YORK -- The New York Yankees and Oakland Athletics opened their four-game series with a rare Monday matinee at Yankee Stadium, and manager Aaron Boone was in the dugout for all of one batter during a 2-0 loss. The Yankees manager was ejected five pitches into the game by home-plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt in an unusual sequence caught on the television broadcast. It began when Athletics leadoff hitter Esteury Ruiz was hit by a pitch on an 0-2 count; the pitch clearly plunked Ruiz on the foot, but the Yankees' dugout thought Ruiz swung at it. As a result, Boone communicated his disapproval -- until Wendelstedt replied. "You're not yelling at me," Wendelstedt yelled at Boone, clear as day on the broadcast. "I did what I was supposed to do and checked. I'm looking for him to get hit by the pitch. You got anything else to say, you're gone." One pitch later, Boone was ejected. Wendelstedt gave Boone the hook after hearing someone's objection...

Tiger Woods announced Monday that Max Homa, Tom Kim and Kevin Kisner have joined his Jupiter Links GC TGL team. The virtual golf league headed by Woods and Rory McIlroy will begin its inaugural season next January. Woods also unveiled the team's logo. "I have already shared my excitement and optimism for TGL as a league and product," said Woods. "Now that we have finalized our roster with a team of world-class golfers, I am even more confident that this group will proudly represent the Jupiter (Fla.) area and connect with our fans for years to come." Homa is a six-time winner on the PGA Tour and the top-ranked player on the squad. "It's really exciting to call Tiger, Tom, and Kevin teammates," Homa said. "Thanks to TGL, I'll be able to play with some of the best golfers in the world and bring this unique and exciting format to golf while also finding ways to connect with one of the best golf markets in the country in South Florida." The TGL's...

INDIANAPOLIS -- Colts owner Jim Irsay, who has been out of public view for months, said he is gearing up for the NFL draft even while recovering from what authorities described as a suspected overdose and other health issues. Irsay said in a phone interview with ESPN that his current challenge is rehabilitating from major surgery on his lower back area that has severely limited his mobility and will keep him from being in the Colts' draft room later this week. But he said he'll still have a presence, adding that the team's affairs are running per usual despite his physical absence. "The main thing is I'm just following my doctors' orders and just making sure the bottom line is just to get back to 100% and to do the things they say," said Irsay, who has undergone numerous surgeries on his back, hips and extremities from years-old powerlifting injuries. "I'm just being a good patient and trying to make sure I can get back sooner than later. I'll get back on the golf course...

WWE, in partnership with the UFC, has announced that NXT Battleground will take place at the UFC Apex on Sunday, June 9 in Las Vegas. This will mark the first-ever WWE event that will be hosted at the 130,000-square foot production facility, home of UFC Fight Night events, Dana White's Contender Series and more. "We are always exploring new frontiers to showcase NXT and we are excited to bring Battleground to this world-class production facility in partnership with UFC," said WWE Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative Shawn Michaels in a statement to ESPN. Last September, UFC's parent company Endeavor and the WWE announced the closing of a merger between the mixed martial arts and professional wrestling promotions to create TKO. To date, there has been some crossover between the two brands, but this will be the most significant where a UFC venue will host a WWE event. NXT Battleground was originally penciled in for May 26 at the Enmarket Arena in Savannah, Georgia...

The Washington Commanders released defensive end  Shaka Toney, who was reinstated by the NFL last week after serving a one-year suspension for violating the league's policy on gambling. Toney was one of five players who was reinstated by the league, though he was the only one still on a roster. Toney had been suspended on April 21, 2023. The league's policy states that players, coaches, team officials and league personnel can't bet on NFL games or place bets while at team facilities or team hotels. Nor can someone place bets for them. Washington signed three defensive ends in free agency, re-signed a fourth and have two second-year ends also on their roster. The Commanders have shown an interest in drafting an edge rusher as well, possibly in the second or third round. They also have a new owner, general manager and coach -- none of whom were around when Washington drafted Toney. All of that made Toney expendable. Washington drafted Toney, who played at Penn...

NEW YORK -- Philadelphia 76ers All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey did not attend Monday's morning shootaround at Madison Square Garden due to an illness and will be listed as questionable for Game 2 against the New York Knicks. Maxey, 23, had 33 points in 44 minutes in Philadelphia's 111-104 loss in Game 1 of the first-round playoff series Saturday night, using his blazing speed to get to the rim at will, particularly in the second half. But when the team arrived Monday morning for shootaround, Maxey was the only player missing, with the team announcing his status change a short time later. Joel Embiid was in attendance, though, after his brief exit from Saturday's game after he landed awkwardly on his left leg late in the second quarter after throwing down a ridiculous one-handed dunk after catching an alley-oop to himself off the backboard. He had a procedure on the lateral meniscus in his left knee back in February. Embiid, who was wearing dark sunglasses...

Zaccharie Risacher, the projected No. 1 pick, has submitted paperwork to the league office making him eligible for the 2024 NBA draft, he told ESPN on Monday. "It's always been my dream to get to the best league in the world," Risacher told ESPN. "I've been putting the work in for this since I was a kid. JL Bourg has given me an incredible opportunity to showcase what I can do. It's been the perfect place to start my young career. I'm really grateful to have the opportunity to play for this organization." Risacher, 19, is in the midst of a productive season in France, as his JL Bourg team is in third place in Pro A and reached the EuroCup Finals. He is averaging 10.4 points and 3.4 rebounds in 23 minutes per game, shooting 39% for 3. "I'm proud of being part of this journey with my teammates and what we accomplished in the EuroCup. We definitely want to do something special the rest of the season. It's been a long season and long process with a lot of ups and downs." Since...

Inter Milan's dominant domestic season could be crowned on Monday as Simone Inzaghi's team take on bitter rivals AC Milan knowing a win would clinch their 20th Serie A title. Inter are 14 points clear of second-placed Milan with six league games left to play. - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) The game between the local clubs, known as the Derby della Madonnina, will be particularly hard-fought given that they are level on 19 titles apiece as it stands. "We've had a magnificent ride, tomorrow could be a very important day for all of us but we're not experiencing it as an obsession," Inzaghi told a news conference on Sunday. "We had a dominant season; now the climb is about to end but we know what we have done." Inter are technically the away side for the game, though the teams share the San Siro as their home ground. For Monday's game, Milan fans will have a much larger allocation as they look to help their team...

MILWAUKEE -- With the clock winding down toward the end of the first quarter, Bucks point guard Damian Lillard put an exclamation point on his Game 1 masterpiece. With a crossover, he created space and stepped back into a 28-foot 3-pointer, a vintage move from Lillard to knock down a shot past the outstretched hand of Pacers guard  T.J. McConnell as the first-quarter buzzer sounded. Lillard then trotted down the court, basking in the adulation of a sold-out crowd at Fiserv Forum. "What time is it?" the public address announcer asked. "Dame Time!" the crowd roared. "This is what y'all brought me here for," Lillard yelled to the crowd as he beat his chest. With two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo sidelined by a calf strain, Lillard carried the Bucks to a 109-94 victory over the Pacers on Sunday in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series. Lillard finished with 35 points, all in the first half, to help build Milwaukee a halftime...

LOS ANGELES -- LA Clippers point guard James Harden said he still has something to prove during the postseason in his highly productive career. With Kawhi Leonard out for Game 1, Harden had his best first half as a Clipper, scoring 20 of his 28 points to help L.A. build a 29-point lead en route to a 109-97 win over the Dallas Mavericks at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday. "I can score with the best of 'em," Harden said. "Still can score with the best of 'em. My role for this team is just generating really good shots and making guys' jobs easier. And then when my number to score is called, then you score the basketball. Obviously, Kawhi is out, so my playmaking and my volume is going to go up a little bit more, and took advantage of it." Despite going without Leonard in the first-round series opener because of inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee, the Clippers put together one of their most inspired performances of the season. Ivica...

Duke transfer Jeremy Roach, arguably the best point guard in the transfer portal, announced his commitment to  Baylor on Sunday. Roach entered the portal Tuesday night, and it wasn't long before Baylor emerged as the favorite for the senior guard.  Arkansas, St. John's, Kentucky, Villanova, Syracuse and others were quickly linked to Roach, but Scott Drew and the Bears won out. Roach made his announcement in a post on Instagram. A 6-foot-2 Virginia native, Roach started 108 games over four seasons with the Blue Devils, earning third-team All-ACC honors as a senior. A former McDonald's All American in the 2020 class, Roach was immediately thrust into an extended role in Durham, North Carolina. He averaged 8.7 points as a freshman and 8.6 points as a sophomore, coming on strong down the stretch of the 2021-22 campaign to help lead Duke to the Final Four. Roach enjoyed a true breakout season as a junior, boosting his numbers...

Two days after he became the youngest player ever to make the cut on the Korn Ferry Tour, Miles Russell notched another pretty cool achievement for a 15-year-old. He finished tied for 20th in the event. Russell, the reigning American Junior Golf Association Player of the Year, closed with a 5-under 66 on Sunday at the Lecom Suncoast Classic in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, finishing 6 shots behind winner Tim Widing. He became the youngest player since at least 1983 to finish in the top 25 in a Korn Ferry Tour or PGA Tour event. An amateur playing on a sponsor's exemption, Russell won't pocket any money for the finish. But he did qualify for next week's Korn Ferry event, the Veritex Bank Championship in Texas, as a result of finishing in the top 25. "It was an awesome week," he said. "It was a blast." Russell was outside the top 25 entering Sunday, but he surged 28 spots up the leaderboard thanks to a final round that included seven birdies in a 10-hole...

Two days after he became the youngest player ever to make the cut on the Korn Ferry Tour, Miles Russell notched another pretty cool achievement for a 15 year old. He finished tied for 20th in the event. Russell, the reigning American Junior Golf Association Player of the Year, closed with a 5-under 66 on Sunday at the Lecom Suncoast Classic in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, finishing six shots behind winner Tim Widing. He became the youngest player since at least 1983 ever to finish in the top 25 in a Korn Ferry Tour or PGA Tour event. An amateur playing on a sponsor's exemption, Russell won't pocket any money for the finish. But he did qualify for next week's Korn Ferry event, the Veritex Bank Championship in Texas, as a result of finishing in the top 25. "It was an awesome week," he said. "It was a blast." Russell was outside that number entering Sunday, but he surged 28 spots up the leaderboard thanks to a final round that included seven birdies in a 10-hole...

The NBA unveiled the three finalists for each of its seven major individual awards for the 2023-24 regular season Sunday night, headlined by Nikola Jokic, an MVP finalist for a fourth straight season, and San Antonio Spurs center  Victor Wembanyama, a finalist for Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. Jokic, whose Denver Nuggets opened the playoffs with a victory over the Los Angeles Lakers Saturday night, won the MVP in 2021 and 2022 and finished second behind the  Philadelphia 76ers'  Joel Embiid last year. Embiid and the  Milwaukee Bucks'  Giannis Antetokounmpo were MVP finalists alongside Jokic each of the past two seasons, but they were replaced this season by Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic. Jokic concluded the regular season averaging 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds and 9.0 assists for Denver,...

LOS ANGELES -- Dodgers slugger Shohei Ohtani has broken Hideki Matsui's record for the most homers hit by a Japanese-born player in Major League Baseball. Ohtani crushed a two-run homer deep into the right-field bleachers off Adrian Houser of the New York Mets in the third inning of L.A.'s 10-0 win Sunday at Dodger Stadium. The homer was the 176th of Ohtani's six-plus seasons in the majors. That's one more than Matsui, the former New York Yankees slugger who played the final 10 seasons of his 20-year pro career in North America. "Honestly, I was just relieved I was able to get it over with," Ohtani said through his interpreter, Will Ireton. Ohtani admired and emulated Matsui while growing up in Japan during the prime of Matsui's MLB career. Yet Ohtani said the record was "not something I was cognizant of when I first started my career here, but as I got to know about it," he began to pay attention to his place behind...

Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen and manager Xavi Hernandez slammed the "embarrassing" lack of goal-line technology in Spain after Sunday's 3-2 loss to Real Madrid in El Clásico. LaLiga is one of the few top-flight leagues in Europe not to implement the technology, meaning it was left to VAR to rule that Andriy Lunin had kept out Lamine Yamal's strike from crossing the line at 1-1 in the first half at the Santiago Bernabéu. - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) Madrid went on to win an enthralling game, with Jude Bellingham's stoppage-time winner moving them 11 points clear of Barça at the top of the table with just six games left. "I can't find the words to explain what happened on the goal line," Ter Stegen told reporters. "It's embarrassing for football. There is a lot of money in this industry, but not for what is important. "I don't understand how there cannot be money...

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- Nelly Korda couldn't have imagined the incredible run she's put together this season while at home recovering from a blood clot that required surgery in 2022. "Because obviously then I was just more scared for my health," she said. "Competing was kind of on the back seat. I was not thinking about competing at all. But I think all of the sad times and the health scares that I have gone through have made me who I am today." Fully healthy now, Korda is seemingly unstoppable. The world's No. 1 player hasn't lost a tournament since January, and now she's a two-time major champion. Korda etched her name in the LPGA Tour record books Sunday, winning her record-tying fifth straight tournament with a 2-stroke victory in the Chevron Championship. Korda joins Nancy Lopez (1978) and Annika Sorenstam (2004-05) as the only players to win five consecutive LPGA events. Her previous major victory was in 2021 at the Women's PGA Championship. "It's been an amazing feeling...

BOSTON --  Celtics star Jayson Tatum was a catalyst in more ways than one in Boston's convincing 114-94 victory over the Miami Heat on Sunday afternoon in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series. He played smart, unselfish basketball against Miami's double-teams, logging his first career playoff triple-double with 23 points, 10 boards and 10 assists. But as the contest entered its final minute, Tatum also showed toughness, popping up off the floor immediately after getting hit by Heat wing Caleb Martin while going airborne for a rebound. The play initially scared the TD Garden crowd but galvanized the Celtics, who wanted to show they wouldn't be pushed around by the highly physical Heat club. "It's playoff basketball, and it's a physical game against a physical team. S---'s gonna happen," Tatum said, adding that he wanted to get up from the fall quickly to show he wasn't hurt. "It's probably not the last time I'm going to get hit like that...

Drexel transfer Amari Williams has committed to Kentucky, his agent George Langberg of GSL Sports Group told ESPN on Sunday. Williams chose the Wildcats over Mississippi State, with St. John's eliminated from consideration earlier in the weekend. He visited Lexington this weekend, and Mark Pope secured his first big transfer commitment. Williams is a three-time CAA Defensive Player of the Year winner and earned first-team CAA honors in each of the past two seasons. He averaged 13.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in the 2022-23 season and put up 12.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in the past campaign. Williams tallied eight double-doubles this past season, including 12 points and 15 rebounds against West Virginia. He also went for 20 points and eight boards against NCAA tournament participant Charleston. Williams is the lone upperclassman on Kentucky's roster, with incoming freshman Travis Perry and Collin Chandler the only other players locked in to suit up for...

LaLiga leaders Real Madrid's pursuit of a record-extending 36th Spanish title gathered momentum after Jude Bellingham scored a goal in added time to secure a 3-2 comeback win over defending champions  Barcelona on Sunday. Madrid twice fought back from a goal down before Bellingham smashed in the winner at the far post from about six yards out to beat Barcelona for a fourth successive time. The result left second-placed Barca 11 points adrift of the leaders with six games left. - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) "What a great night for being a Real Madrid fan, it's incredible," Luka Modric told Real Madrid TV. "It's a win that edges us closer to the title, it's what we want. It was a great game, we never stopped believing. "We were behind twice but kept fighting, playing well, pressing and in the end we came back time and time again." Barca took the lead in the sixth minute when Andreas Christensen headed...

MILWAUKEE -- Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo will not play in Game 1 of the Bucks' first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday night, coach Doc Rivers said about two hours before tipoff. Antetokounmpo has not played since April 9, sitting out Milwaukee's final three regular-season games with a strained calf. The Bucks remain hopeful the treatment for Antetokounmpo's injury will allow him to return sometime later in the series, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Rivers, meanwhile, said he still did not have any clarity on an injury timeline. "We prepare with what's on the floor," Rivers said before Game 1. "Giannis has done a lot of work. He's shooting, he's running again, he looks good, but he hasn't been able to participate." Injuries have kept Antetokounmpo out of playoff games for the second straight season. He suffered a back injury in Game 1 of the 2023 playoffs and was sidelined the next two games against the ...

By Fernando Kallas MADRID, April 21 (Reuters) - LaLiga leaders Real Madrid's pursuit of a record-extending 36th Spanish title gathered momentum after Jude Bellingham scored a goal in added time to secure a 3-2 comeback win over Barcelona on Sunday. Real twice fought back from a goal down and before Bellingham smashed in the winner at the far post from about six yards out to beat the champions for a fourth successive time. The result left second-placed Barca 11 points adrift of the leaders with six games left. Barca took the lead in the sixth minute when Andreas Christensen headed in following a corner after Real goalkeeper Andriy Lunin failed to clear the cross from his six-yard-box. Vinicius Jr equalised 12 minutes later from the penalty spot after Lucas Vazquez was fouled inside the box. Wasteful Real dominated the second half but missed several chances and allowed substitute Fermin Lopez to give the visitors the lead again in the 69th minute from a...

DENVER -- It remains unclear whether Los Angeles Lakers forwards  Christian Wood and Jarred Vanderbilt, who missed Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round series against the Denver Nuggets, will be available to return at any point in the series. Wood has been sidelined since Feb. 14 because of discomfort in his left knee, undergoing arthroscopic surgery on March 19. He averaged 6.9 points on 46.6% shooting (30.7% from 3) and 5.1 rebounds in 17.4 minutes per game prior to the injury. "All I'll say is he's still going through his recovery process from injury, his rehab process," Lakers coach Darvin Ham said on a conference call with reporters when asked about Wood's potential to return. "Obviously, he has size, he has length, he has rebounding capabilities, he can stretch the floor. But first and foremost, he has a couple more boxes to check before we even consider that." Wood averaged 5.0 points on 80% shooting and 4.0 rebounds in two...

Erik ten Hag admitted Manchester United "got away with it" after they threw away a three-goal lead against Coventry before needing a penalty shootout to win their FA Cup semifinal at Wembley on Sunday in London.  United were 3-0 up midway through the second half before Coventry launched a stunning fight-back with three goals in the final 20 minutes. - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) The Championship side thought they scored another at the end of extra time only to have it chalked off by VAR. United prevailed in the subsequent shootout when Rasmus Højlund scored with the decisive kick. It sets up a second successive FA Cup final against neighbours Manchester City at the end of May. "Mixed feelings, it is clear,"  Ten Hag told his postmatch news conference. "But it's an achievement to be twice in the FA Cup final in two years. When you are so in control, dominating the game, 3-0 up, we should win it. "The way we didn't...

NEW YORK -- When Philadelphia 76ers forward Nicolas Batum was asked Sunday what stood out about rewatching his team's Game 1 loss to the New York Knicks, his answer was immediate and short.  "Rebound," Batum said. While there were many reasons the 76ers could point to for falling short in a game they had chances to win on the road, it was New York's offensive rebounding that stood out. The Knicks finished Game 1 with a staggering 23 offensive rebounds -- including seven by Mitchell Robinson alone -- that led to a 26-8 advantage in second-chance points, something that came up repeatedly during Philly's off-day media availability ahead of Game 2 back at Madison Square Garden on Monday night. "In a playoff game, that's way too much," Batum said, referring to the offensive rebounds and second-chance points. "Win the game. We still had a chance to win the game. That's the worst part it, we still had a chance. "We've got to control the rebounds, and we...

BOSTON -- The Bruins aren't committing to a goaltender for Game 2 of their first-round Stanley Cup playoff series against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday even after Jeremy Swayman's dominant 35-save performance in Saturday's 5-1 victory in Game 1. Boston has used Swayman and Linus Ullmark in strict rotation during the regular season, and Boston's coach Jim Montgomery may keep that pattern alive in the playoffs, too. "We're still contemplating that and [deciding] if that's the way to go," said Montgomery following the Bruins' team meeting Sunday. Montgomery tapped Swayman over Ullmark for Game 1 because Swayman "hadn't had the opportunity to start a series before in the last couple years ... he did really well." That wasn't surprising given Swayman's excellence against Toronto in the regular season, posting a 3-0-0 record and .959 SV% in those previous outings. Swayman held the Leafs mostly at bay again in a near-flawless performance Saturday,...

The Los Angeles Angels placed Anthony Rendon on the 10-day injured list Sunday due to a left hamstring strain, adding another chapter to the third baseman's checkered medical history with the team. Rendon, 33, came up limping after legging out an infield hit to open the Angels' game against the host Cincinnati Reds on Saturday. He left the game, with his single raising his batting average to .267 with no home runs, three RBIs and three stolen bases in 19 games. Rendon opened the season by going 0-for-19 in five games before batting .357 (20-for-56) over his past 14 games. "[I'm feeling] not too great," Rendon said after the game. "Frustration. Anger. Mad. Any of those adjectives you want to use." He said it's frustrating to be hurt now that he's heating up at the plate. "I'm starting to barrel the ball more, and when I didn't, I was just starting to find holes," Rendon said. "Like earlier in the season, I was barreling it, and they were catching it. I...

LOS ANGELES -- The Clippers ruled out Kawhi Leonard for Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday against the Dallas Mavericks, and his status for Tuesday's Game 2 remains uncertain. Leonard missed his ninth straight game with inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee. He hasn't played since March 31, and has yet to participate in any contact during practice. Leonard has done more shooting with movement in recent practices, according to coach Ty Lue. There is a day off between Game 1 and Game 2 at Crypto.com Arena. But after Game 2, both teams don't play again until Friday's Game 3 in Dallas. "I'm not sure," Lue said when asked whether this could be a multiple-game absence for Leonard in the first round. "He's progressing. He's been on the floor the last couple days. We're just taking it day by day." Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said Leonard's surgically repaired right ACL and right meniscus are solid and...

Manchester United survived one of the most astonishing FA Cup semifinal comebacks ever to beat second-tier Coventry City on penalties in a spellbinding clash that ended 3-3 after extra time at Wembley Stadium on Sunday. United were cruising to a record 22nd FA Cup final thanks to goals by Scott McTominay, Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes with Coventry barely managing to lay a glove on their illustrious opponents for 70 minutes. - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) But Coventry, playing in their first FA Cup semi-final since they won the Cup in 1987, fought back with goals by Ellis Simms and Callum O'Hare and with United rocking Haji Wright stroked home a stoppage-time penalty after an Aaron Wan-Bissaka handball. Both sides hit the woodwork in a rollercoaster extra 30 minutes -- Fernandes for United and Simms for Coventry, his effort bouncing down off the underside of the crossbar. Coventry's 36,000 fans were sent into delirium when...

Former Pittsburgh defensive end Dayon Hayes announced Sunday that he is transferring to Colorado. Hayes led Pitt in tackles for loss last season with 10.5 and also had 45 total tackles, four sacks and six quarterback hurries. He is a 6-foot-3, 265-pound senior who played the past four seasons for Pitt after signing with the team out of high school. He is bringing some needed defensive help to Colorado, especially in getting to the quarterback and being disruptive up front. The Buffaloes were ranked No. 63 in sacks last season with 27 and No. 78 in defensive pressures with 139. The staff has worked this offseason to add more help up front on the defensive side with Hayes and reuniting him with former Pitt teammate Samuel Okunlola, who is also transferring in to Colorado. In addition to those two, Colorado has former Alabama lineman Anquin Barnes, former LSU lineman Quency Wiggins, Arizona State's  B.J....

Houston Astros right-hander Cristian Javier will be placed on the 15-day injured list due to neck discomfort, manager Joe Espada told reporters Sunday. Right-hander Spencer Arrighetti, who is 0-2 with an 11.57 ERA this season, will be recalled to take Javier's spot in the rotation, Espada said. Espada made the announcement after Javier had been scratched from Sunday's start against the host Washington Nationals because of the ailment. "Neck discomfort, started a few days ago," Espada said. "He tried to work through it but just couldn't happen. This kind of just came out of nowhere. So, we are going to see what happens here." Right-hander Hunter Brown will start in Javier's place Sunday in the rubber match of the three-game series. Javier, 27, has a 2-0 record with a 1.54 ERA while working at least five innings in all four starts this season. He has allowed no more than two earned runs in each start. Brown, 25, is 0-3 with a 10.54 ERA in four...

Nottingham Forest slammed the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) for ignoring their concern that the Video Assistant Referee for their  2-0 defeat at Everton on Sunday was a Luton Town supporter.  Forest had three potential claims for a penalty waved away by referee Anthony Taylor and the VAR, Stuart Attwell, leading the club to respond on social media after the match to vent their frustrations.  - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) "Three extremely poor decisions -- three penalties not given -- which we simply cannot accept," the club wrote on X. "We warned the PGMOL that the VAR is a Luton fan before the game but they didn't change him. Our patience has been tested multiple times. "NFFC will now consider its options." The FA is investigating the post.  The result leaves Forest in 17th in the Premier League, just one point above Luton in the relegation zone after Luton were thrashed 5-1 by Brentford on...

Florida Atlantic transfer Alijah Martin has committed to play at Florida next season, he told ESPN on Sunday. "I wanted to stay in the South to play in the SEC, the strongest conference in America," Martin said. "I wanted a chance to be a primary ball handler and compete for a national title, at a program known for NBA talent and developing players for the next level." Martin, a graduate transfer with one year of eligibility, said he committed to coach Todd Golden and the Gators over Michigan, Alabama, Arkansas, Ole Miss and USC. Martin was a catalyst of FAU's Final Four run in 2023, being named to the all-tournament team after several electric performances, including a 26-point, 7-rebound outburst in a narrow loss to San Diego State in the Final Four. He was an all-conference selection in each of the past three seasons and averaged 13.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game in 2023-24, helping Florida...

United States international defender Sergiño Dest suffered a knee injury in PSV Eindhoven training on Saturday, casting his place at this summer's Copa America into doubt. Dest, 23, is on loan at PSV from Barcelona and has helped the side romp to the top of the Eredivisie. With four games to play, they are nine points clear of Feyenoord and set to win the league title. - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) Dest, however, is unlikely to play for them again this season after a PSV statement described his injury as "serious." The statement added the extent of Dest's condition is still being investigated, but they expect him to be out for a lengthy period. During his loan period with PSV, Dest has made 37 appearances, scoring two goals and assisting seven more. He was expected to make a permanent move to the club in the summer.

Reigning Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya crushed the women's-only world record in winning the London Marathon on Sunday. Jepchirchir, 30, pulled away over the final 300 meters in a sprint finish, crossing the finish line in front of Buckingham Palace in 2 hours, 16 minutes, 16 seconds to break Mary Keitany's mark of 2:17:01 set at the 2017 London race. "I thought the race would be fast and that the record would go, but I was not expecting it to be me," Jepchirchir said. "It's because I believe in myself. As I crossed the finish line, I thought about how grateful I am for this to be my last event representing Kenya before I head to Paris. I now know I have a great chance to defend my title in Paris." Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia, who clocked 2:11:53 at the Berlin Marathon in September to set a world record for women in a race alongside male runners, crossed second in 2:16.23. Joyciline Jepkosgei of Kenya, the 2021 London winner, was third in 2:16.24. Alexander Mutiso...