National Sports - The Morning Sun

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell meets with Green Bay Packers fans during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Bevy of defensive playmakers are available in Round 2 of the NFL draft after historic offensive run

The historic run on offensive players, especially quarterbacks, in the first round of the NFL draft pushed plenty of talented defenders down the board. It also pushed some first-round worthy … more

By ARNIE STAPLETON | 4/26/24

Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid speaks during a news conference after Game 3 in an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the New York Knicks, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

76ers All-Star center Joel Embiid says he's suffering from Bell's palsy

Philadelphia 76ers All-Star center Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament. Embiid wore sunglasses … more

By DAN GELSTON | 4/26/24

Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (50) dunks during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles, Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Gordon, Jokic lead the Nuggets to the brink of a sweep with a 112-105 win over the Lakers in Game 3

The Denver Nuggets moved to the brink of the second round with a 112-105 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of their first-round series. Aaron Gordon had 29 points and 15 rebounds, Jamal … more

By GREG BEACHAM | 4/26/24

Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams celebrates after being chosen by the Chicago Bears with the first overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

The first round of the NFL draft turns into a QB bonanza with a record-setting 6 taken in the top 12

Quarterbacks went off the draft board at a record-setting pace. This was the fourth time in the common draft era starting in 1967 that QBs went with the top three picks, with three more going in the … more

By JOSH DUBOW | 4/25/24

Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid, left, reaches for a pass against New York Knicks' Isaiah Hartenstein during the first half of Game 3 in an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Joel Embiid scores 50 points to lead 76ers past Knicks 125-114 to cut deficit to 2-1

Joel Embiid scored 50 points, making all four 3-point attempts and scoring 18 in a potential series-shifting third quarter on Thursday night to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 125-114 win over the … more

By DAN GELSTON | 4/25/24

UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu puts on a hat after being chosen by the Indianapolis Colts with the 15th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Colts snap record streak of 14 straight offensive players taken in NFL draft with UCLA DE Latu

UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu was the first defensive player selected in the NFL draft, going No. 15 overall to Indianapolis to snap a record streak of 14 straight offensive players taken. The … more

By RALPH D. RUSSO | 4/25/24

Carolina Hurricanes' Brent Burns, second from right, celebrates with Jaccob Slavin, right, Teuvo Teravainen (86) and Martin Necas (88) after scoring a goal against the. New York Islanders during the first period of Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Brent Burns, Dmitry Orlov help Hurricanes hold on to beat Islanders 3-2 for 3-0 series lead

Defensemen Brent Burns and Dmitry Orlov got Carolina off to a fast start and the Hurricanes held on to beat the New York Islanders 3-2 on Thursday night for a 3-0 lead in the first-round series. … more

By VIN A. CHERWOO | 4/25/24

Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. passes during the NCAA college's NFL football pro day, Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Falcons provide first NFL draft surprise by selecting Washington QB Michael Penix Jr with No. 8 pick

The Atlanta Falcons provided the first major surprise of the NFL draft by selecting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. of Washington with the No. 8 pick. The Falcons extended their recent trend of … more

By CHARLES ODUM | 4/25/24

Rory McIlroy, right, of Northern Ireland, and teammate Shane Lowry, of Ireland, walk down the first fairway during the first round of the PGA Zurich Classic golf tournament at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, La., Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry share lead in team event at TPC of Louisiana

Rory McIlroy is enjoying his first visit to New Orleans — on and off the course. McIlroy and Shane Lowry shot a 11-under 64 in fourball play Thursday for a share of the first-round lead in the … more

By RICHARD MEEK | 4/25/24

Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams walks on stage before the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

NFL Draft: Bears banking on Caleb Williams after taking the 2022 Heisman winner with the No. 1 pick

The Chicago Bears did exactly as expected by taking USC star Caleb Williams with the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. They are banking on the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner to become the sort of quarterback … more

By ANDREW SELIGMAN | 4/25/24

Ravi Punn, right, of Baynes + Baker, adjusts the collar on Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell during a final suit fitting for the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024 in Detroit. (AP Photo/Mike Householder)

The NFL draft gives players a chance to flaunt their style on the red carpet

The NFL draft gives players a chance to show their style and many take advantage with custom-made suits. A few hours before Quinyon Mitchell hit the red carpet Thursday in the shadow of the Fox … more

By LARRY LAGE | 4/25/24

FILE - Arizona State quarterback Jaden Rashada throws a pass against Oklahoma State during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Tempe, Ariz. Rashada has committed to Georgia and is back in the Southeastern Conference after the one-time Florida commit's NIL deal fell apart. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)

QB Jaden Rashada transfers to Georgia after leaving Arizona State

Quarterback Jaden Rashada has committed to Georgia after leaving Arizona State in the transfer portal. Rashada’s agent, Henry Danger of Disruptive Sports, told The Associated Press in an email on … more

By The Associated Press | 4/25/24

Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant walks across the court during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Suns' Big 3 in a big pickle, down 2-0 against the Timberwolves as series moves to Phoenix

The Phoenix Suns and their so-called Big Three return home to the desert in a big pickle. Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal and the Suns are in a 2-0 hole heading into Friday’s Game 3 of … more

By DAVID BRANDT | 4/25/24

Cleveland Guardians' Jose Ramirez watches the ball after hitting a grand slam off Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chase Anderson during the second inning of a baseball game, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

José Ramírez hits grand slam, AL-leading Guardians beat Red Sox 6-4

José Ramírez belted his sixth career grand slam and had three hits, Will Brennan had a solo homer and the Cleveland Guardians beat the Boston Red Sox 6-4. Cleveland has the best record in the … more

By BRIAN DULIK | 4/25/24

Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Tanner Banks (57) walks back to the dugout during a pitching change in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

White Sox drop to 3-22 as Julien hits 2 of Twins' 5 homers in 6-3 win for 4-game sweep

The Chicago White Sox dropped to 3-22, wasting a two-run lead and stretching their losing streak to a season-high seven with a 6-3 defeat to Minnesota on Thursday as Edouard Julien hit two of the … more

By PATRICK DONNELLY | 4/25/24

FILE - Christina Clemons, of the United States, and Helena Jiranova, of the Czech Republic, compete in a women's 60 meters hurdles heat during the World Athletics Indoor Championships at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, Scotland, Sunday, March 3, 2024. U.S. Olympic hurdler Christina Clemons sent email after email raising concerns over a gap in health-care insurance coverage for new mothers who still wanted to compete. Those baby steps turned into big strides as USA Track and Field unveiled a program Thursday, April 25, that expands an existing maternity support system to give new moms even more time to return to an elite level. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek, File)

USA Track & Field expands its maternity policy to give athletes more time to work their way back

USA Track & Field unveiled a program Thursday that expands an existing maternity support system to give athletes more time to return. Olympic hurdler Christina Clemons was instrumental in pushing for … more

By PAT GRAHAM | 4/25/24

Milwaukee Bucks' Khris Middleton gets past Indiana Pacers' Aaron Nesmith during the first half of Game 2 of the NBA playoff basketball game Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Khris Middleton joins Antetokounmpo on Bucks' list of players dealing with injuries

Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton’s status for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series with the Indiana Pacers is uncertain after he hurt his ankle in the last game and … more

By STEVE MEGARGEE | 4/25/24

Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball to Darwin Blanch of United States during the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Nadal cruises to straight-set win over American teenager in first round of Madrid Open

Rafael Nadal didn’t need much effort as he cruised to a 6-1, 6-0 victory against American teenager Darwin Blanch in the first round of the Madrid open. Nadal looked in good form in what was only … more

By TALES AZZONI | 4/25/24

Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin, center, talks to T.J. Oshie, right, and Max Pacioretty during the third period in Game 2 of the team's NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the New York Rangers, Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

'Struggling' Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin is hoping patience pays off soon against the Rangers

Alex Ovechkin has just one shot on goal through two games of the Washington Capitals’ first-round playoff series against the New York Rangers, which they trail 2-0. Coach Spencer Carbery … more

By STEPHEN WHYNO | 4/25/24

Wrexham's Paul Mullin and Elliot Lee on the pitch celebrating promotion to League One after the final whistle of the Sky Bet League Two match at the SToK Cae Ras, Wrexham, Saturday April 13, 2024. (Jacob King/PA via AP)

Wrexham schedules 3 games in US and Canada in July

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are taking Wrexham back to the United States this summer. Details of the tour’ have been announced in an online video by the co-owners on Thursday. They confirmed … more

4/25/24