National Sports - The Morning Sun

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic warms up prior to Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round play off game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Jokic, Gilgeous-Alexander and Doncic picked as the NBA's MVP finalists. Wemby up for 2 trophies, too

Denver's Nikola Jokic is one step closer to winning a third MVP award in the last four seasons. Victor Wembanyama is surely on his way to a trophy — or maybe two. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander might get … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 4/21/24

LA Clippers forward Paul George (13) celebrates after making a 3-pointer during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks in Los Angeles, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Harden and Zubac lead Leonard-less Clippers to 109-97 win over Doncic and Mavs in playoff opener

James Harden scored 28 points, Ivica Zubac had a double-double and the Los Angeles Clippers defeated Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks 109-97 to win their playoff series opener. Zubac’s 20 … more

By BETH HARRIS | 4/21/24

Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo sits on the court during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Milwaukee. Giannis Antetokounmpo left the game. The Bucks won 104-91. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Bucks open their playoff run without Giannis Antetokounmpo because of left calf strain

The Milwaukee Bucks are starting the playoffs without Giannis Antetokounmpo due to the left calf strain that knocked the two-time MVP out for the Bucks’ final three regular-season games. Coach Doc … more

By STEVE MEGARGEE | 4/21/24

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) and Kyle Lowry (7) react during the first half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the New York Knicks, Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

A tale of two centers: Jokic is trying to stay on top and Embiid is trying to stay on the court

Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid are the NBA’s main men in the middle, the two centers combining for the last three MVP awards in the regular season with perhaps another coming soon. It’s in the … more

By BRIAN MAHONEY | 4/21/24

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani bats during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Los Angeles, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani passes Hideki Matsui for most MLB homers by a Japanese-born player

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 … more

By GREG BEACHAM | 4/21/24

Carolina Hurricanes' Evgeny Kuznetsov (92) moves the puck past New York Islanders' Adam Pelech (3) during the second period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, April 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)

Hurricanes get a quick boost from Evgeny Kuznetsov addition to start NHL playoffs

Evgeny Kuznetsov wasted no time making a postseason impact for the Carolina Hurricanes. It’s a promising sign for what could be ahead in the NHL playoffs. The trade-deadline acquisition bolstered a … more

By AARON BEARD | 4/21/24

Cleveland Guardians' Josh Naylor starts to run out a three-run double during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics, Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Nick Cammett)

Josh Naylor's 3 RBIs sends Guardians to 6-2 win, sweep of A's and continues best start since 1999

Josh Naylor delivered a clutch, three-run double in the seventh inning as the Guardians continued their best start in 25 years with a 6-2 win over the Oakland Athletics to complete a three-game … more

By TOM WITHERS | 4/21/24

Teammates congratulate Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) after Tkachuk scored an empty-net goal during the third period of Game 1 of the first-round of an NHL Stanley Cup Playoff series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Panthers score twice in the third period and beat the Lightning 3-2 in Game 1 of NHL playoffs

Carter Verhaeghe tapped in a pinpoint pass from Aleksander Barkov for the lead 58 seconds into the third period, Matthew Tkachuk added a goal and an assist and the Florida Panthers beat the Tampa Bay … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 4/21/24

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives past Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic (5) in the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Jayson Tatum triple-double, 3s lead Celtics past Butler-less Heat 114-94 in playoff opener

Jayson Tatum notched his first career playoff triple-double with 23 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the Boston Celtics past the Miami Heat 114-94 to open their first-round playoff series. … more

By KYLE HIGHTOWER | 4/21/24

Manchester United players react during a penalty shootout at the end of the English FA Cup semifinal soccer match between Coventry City and Manchester United at Wembley stadium in London, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Man United back in another FA Cup final against Man City after narrowly avoiding humiliation

Manchester United has set up another FA Cup final against fierce rival Manchester City in a way no one could ever have imagined. United blew a three-goal lead against second-tier Coventry in the … more

By STEVE DOUGLAS | 4/21/24

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) shoots over Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, March 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Kawhi Leonard will miss Game 1 for Los Angeles Clippers against Luka Doncic and Dallas Mavericks

Kawhi Leonard will miss the Los Angeles Clippers’ playoff opener against the Dallas Mavericks. Leonard had been listed as questionable heading into Game 1 on Sunday because of inflammation in his … more

4/21/24

Coventry City players celebrate after scoring during the English FA Cup semifinal soccer match between Coventry City and Manchester United at Wembley stadium in London, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

United escapes with shootout win after blowing three-goal lead against Coventry in FA Cup semifinal

Second-tier Coventry nearly pulled off one of the most unexpected comebacks in FA Cup history by rallying from three goals down against Manchester United in the semifinals only to endure another … more

By MATTIAS KAREN | 4/21/24

FILE - LSU guard Hailey Van Lith passes the ball during the first half of a Elite Eight college basketball game against Iowa in the NCAA Tournament, April 1, 2024, in Albany, N.Y. Van Lith is focused on trying to make the USA Basketball 3x3 Olympic team this summer and not worried about where she’ll end up at college next year. Van Lith is taking part in a training camp in Springfield, Mass. this weekend and will play in a tournament early next week at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/Hans Pennink, file)

Hailey Van Lith trying to make US Olympic 3x3 team; next college choice to come soon

Hailey Van Lith is focused on making the USA Basketball 3x3 Olympic team this summer and not worried about where she’ll end up at college next year. Van Lith is currently taking part in a training … more

By DOUG FEINBERG | 4/21/24

Nelly Korda hits from the 11th tee during the third round of the Chevron Championship LPGA golf tournament Saturday, April 20, 2024, at The Club at Carlton Woods, in The Woodlands, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Nelly Korda ends weather-delayed third round at Chevron Championship one shot off lead

Nelly Korda shot a 3-under 69 in the weather-delayed third round of the Chevron Championship to enter the final round of the year’s first major one shot off the lead. Play was suspended Saturday … more

By KRISTIE RIEKEN | 4/21/24

Alexander Mutiso Munyao of Kenya crosses the finish line to win the men's race at the London Marathon in London, Sunday, April 21, 2024.(AP Photo/David Cliff)

Mutiso Munyao gives Kenya another London Marathon win after tribute to Kiptum

Alexander Mutiso Munyao denied 41-year-old Kenenisa Bekele a first London Marathon victory by pulling away from the Ethiopian great with about 3 kilometers to go for his biggest career win. Mutiso … more

By MATTIAS KAREN | 4/21/24

Philadelphia Phillies' Zack Wheeler pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Zack Wheeler has no-hit bid for 7 1/3 innings as Phillies beat slumping White Sox 9-5

Zack Wheeler pitched no-hit ball for 7 1/3 innings, Brandon Marsh homered and the Philadelphia Phillies extended their winning streak to five by beating the struggling Chicago White Sox 9-5. Wheeler … more

By AARON BRACY | 4/21/24

Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya is about to cross the finish line to win the women's race at the London Marathon in London, Sunday, April 21, 2024.(AP Photo/David Cliff)

Olympic champion Jepchirchir wins women's race at London Marathon

Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya pulled away late to win the London Marathon women’s race on Sunday and cement her status as the favorite to defend her gold in Paris. Jepchirchir had by … more

By MATTIAS KAREN | 4/21/24

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands celebrates on the podium after winning the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai, China, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Another race, another victory for Red Bull's Max Verstappen at Chinese GP

The three-time defending F1 champion Max Verstappen has won the Chinese Grand Prix. He started from pole for his fourth victory in five races this season and his 23rd in the last 27 extending through … more

By STEPHEN WADE | 4/21/24

Ryan Garcia celebrates after winning a super lightweight boxing match against Devin Haney early Sunday, April 21, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Ryan Garcia knocks Devin Haney down 3 times and hands his amateur rival his first pro loss

Ryan Garcia knocked Devin Haney down three times and handed the WBC super lightweight champion his first loss, winning the fight by majority decision but not the title because he was over the weight … more

By BRIAN MAHONEY | 4/21/24

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) goes up to shoot against Denver Nuggets guard Reggie Jackson (7) during the first half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Nikola Jokic leads NBA champ Denver Nuggets past LeBron James and Lakers 114-103 in playoff opener

Nikola Jokic had 32 points and 12 rebounds, and the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets powered past LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers 114-103 in their Western Conference playoff opener. Two … more

By ARNIE STAPLETON | 4/20/24