National Sports - The Morning Sun

FILE - Phil Mickelson speaks after winning the PGA Championship golf tournament on the Ocean Course, May 23, 2021, in Kiawah Island, S.C. Mickelson has not been heard from in three months. It is uncertain if he will defend his title at Southern Hills on May 19-22. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)

PGA back at Southern Hills as Mickelson debates a return

Another major championship, another dose of anticipation. At the Masters the question was whether Tiger Woods could play 14 months after his car crash. For the PGA Championship, it's whether … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 5/13/22

Cleveland Guardians place slugger Naylor on COVID-19 list

Cleveland Guardians first baseman Josh Naylor has been added to the team’s COVID-19 injured list, marking the first player to be sidelined by the team’s recent outbreak. Cleveland’s game at the … more

By TYLER MASON | 5/13/22

Milwaukee Bucks' Grayson Allen passes around Boston Celtics' Robert Williams III and Al Horford during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball Eastern Conference semifinals playoff series Saturday, May 7, 2022, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Celtics' Robert Williams remains out for Game 6 vs. Bucks

Boston forward/center Robert Williams missed his third straight game with an injured left knee as the Celtics tried to keep their season alive Friday night in Game 6 against the Milwaukee Bucks. … more

5/13/22

Edmonton Oilers left wing Evander Kane gestures after scoring an empty net goal during the third period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Kings Thursday, May 12, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Three 7s: NHL has Game 7 tripleheader on tap for Saturday

The NHL is wrapping up the first round of the playoffs with a rare treat. There will be back-to-back-to-back seventh games on Saturday that will go a long way toward shaping the conference … more

By JIMMY GOLEN | 5/13/22

Will Power, right, of Australia, is congratulated by Conor Daly after Power won the pole for the IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Friday, May 13, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Power's late qualifying run puts him on pole for Indy GP

Will Power used the final lap of qualifying Friday to leapfrog five other drivers and win the pole for the IndyCar Grand Prix. The Australian will start from the No. 1 spot for the 64th time in his … more

By MICHAEL MAROT | 5/13/22

Philadelphia 76ers' Doc Rivers pauses during a news conference at the team's NBA basketball practice facility, Friday, May 13, 2022, in Camden, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

76ers need better Harden, healthy Embiid to contend in East

The Philadelphia 76ers went 51-31 and lost in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Sixers basketball President Daryl Morey said Doc Rivers will return for a third season as coach. … more

By DAN GELSTON | 5/13/22

Canada's Pierre-Luc Dubois, right, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the group A Hockey World Championship match between Germany and Canada in Helsinki, Finland, Friday May 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Defending champ Canada, US win openers at ice hockey worlds

Pierre-Luc Dubois scored twice and led defending champion Canada to a 5-3 victory over Germany in their opening game at the world ice hockey championship in Helsinki. The United States cruised past … more

5/13/22

FILE - Wales' Dan Biggar, second right, tackles South Africa's S'Busiso Nkosi during the Rugby World Cup semifinal at International Yokohama Stadium between Wales and South Africa in Yokohama, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019. The United States has landed another World Cup. The Rugby World Cup, in 2031. (AP Photo/Mark Baker, File)

Column: US lands 2031 Rugby World Cup, if anyone cares

The United States has landed another World Cup. Before you break out the champagne or start making travel plans, a couple of caveats: It’s still more than nine years away. Oh, and it’s the Rugby … more

By PAUL NEWBERRY | 5/13/22

Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson takes part in drills at the NFL football team's voluntary minicamp Wednesday, April 27, 2022, at the team's headquarters in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Analysis: NFL schedule filled with enticing matchups

From Russell Wilson playing his first game as a Bronco in Seattle to Doug Pederson vs. Carson Wentz, the NFL schedule is filled with spicy matchups from the outset. Too bad we have to wait four … more

By BARRY WILNER | 5/13/22

Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby (87) reacts after getting knocked down during the first period of Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the New York Rangers Wednesday, May 11, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Penguins' Sidney Crosby ruled out of Game 6 against Rangers

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby will not play in Game 6 against the New York Rangers. Coach Mike Sullivan ruled out Crosby following the team's morning skate. Sullivan said Crosby was on … more

5/13/22

Miami Heat's Max Strus (31) drives past Philadelphia 76ers' Georges Niang during the first half of Game 6 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, Thursday, May 12, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Heat reach East finals, with Max Strus playing a key role

Max Strus probably couldn’t have envisioned this. Division II player when he started college. Ended up at DePaul and went undrafted. Bounced around a couple of summer leagues. Went to training camp … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 5/13/22

St. Louis Blues' Ryan O'Reilly (90) and Brayden Schenn (10) celebrate after the Blues defeated the Minnesota Wild in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Thursday, May 12, 2022, in St. Louis. The Blues advance to the second round. (AP Photo/Michael Thomas)

Blues ride unconventional lineup into NHL's second round

The St. Louis Blues eliminated the Minnesota Wild in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs with a mid-series goalie change and an unconventional lineup. Now, the team heads to Colorado to face … more

By JOE HARRIS | 5/13/22

St. Louis Blues celebrate after a goal against Minnesota Wild goalie Cam Talbot during the second period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Thursday, May 12, 2022, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Michael Thomas)

Binnington makes 25 saves, Blues win 5-1, eliminate Wild

Jordan Binnington made 25 saves and the St. Louis Blues beat the Minnesota Wild 5-1 in Game 6 to advance to the second round of the Western Conference playoffs. Ryan O’Reilly, Tyler Bozak and … more

By JOE HARRIS | 5/13/22

Miami Heat's Jimmy Butler, right, and Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid embrace after Game 6 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, Thursday, May 12, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Heat beat 76ers 99-90 in Game 6 to advance to East finals

Jimmy Butler scored 32 points and waved “bye bye” to the Philly crowd as he sent the Miami Heat into the Eastern Conference finals with a 99-90 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday … more

By DAN GELSTON | 5/13/22

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) hangs on the rim over Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, right, after scoring during the second half of Game 6 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, Thursday, May 12, 2022, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Doncic, Mavericks cruise past Suns 113-86 to force Game 7

Luka Doncic scored 33 points and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Phoenix Suns 113-86 on Thursday night to force a Game 7 in the Western Conference semifinals. The home team has won all six games, none … more

By SCHUYLER DIXON | 5/13/22

New York Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton hits a two-run single against the Chicago White Sox during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Stanton homers twice as Yankees beat White Sox 15-7

Giancarlo Stanton homered twice and drove in six runs, and the New York Yankees used a seven-run eighth inning to beat the Chicago White Sox 15-7 for their fourth straight victory. Aaron Judge and … more

By JAY COHEN | 5/13/22

Bruins back home, beat Hurricanes 5-2 to force 7th game

Brad Marchand scored one goal and assisted on another to lead the Boston Bruins past the Carolina Hurricanes 5-2 and send their first-round playoff series to a decisive seventh game. Jeremy Swayman … more

By JIMMY GOLEN | 5/12/22

Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper stands in the on-deck circle during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the New York Mets on Friday, April 29, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Phils' Harper small elbow tear; can hit, no throw for month

Phillies slugger Bryce Harper has a small tear in his right elbow and won’t throw for four weeks, but the reigning NL MVP will stay in the lineup as Philadelphia’s designated hitter. Manager Joe … more

5/12/22

Sebastián Muñoz, of Colombia, walks to the green on the 18th hole during the first round of the AT&T Byron Nelson golf tournament in McKinney, Texas, on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Emil Lippe)

Munoz shoots 60 at Byron Nelson, record 2nd this season

Sebastian Munoz shot a 12-under 60 in the opening round of the Byron Nelson. He is the first PGA Tour player ever with two rounds of 60 in the same season. Munoz was at 2-under par Thursday after … more

By STEPHEN HAWKINS | 5/12/22

Travon Walker, the Jacksonville Jaguars first round pick and No. 1 overall in the NFL football draft, smiles during a press conference, Friday, April 29, 2022. at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fla. (Corey Perrine/The Florida Times-Union via AP)

Top pick Travon Walker signs $37.4M rookie deal with Jaguars

No. 1 overall draft pick Travon Walker signed a four-year, $37.4 million rookie contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars that includes a $24.4 million signing bonus. Walker’s deal is fully guaranteed … more

By MARK LONG | 5/12/22