ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Braves Hall of Fame manager Bobby Cox has died. Cox died Saturday in Marietta, Georgia, according to the Braves. Cox had a stroke in 2019. Cox managed the Braves to prominence during the 1990s and the team’s first championship in 1995. He took over a last-place team in June of 1990 and the next season led the Braves to a worst-to-first finish. Atlanta lost in the World Series to Minnesota in seven games. That was the start of a record 14 consecutive division titles. He managed the Braves for 25 years, retired after the 2010 season and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014. Bobby Cox was 84 years old.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The next impressive player to rise from the Thunder’s bottomless depth and onto the national stage is Ajay Mitchell, who has seized the spotlight while replacing injured teammate Jalen Williams during these playoffs. After delivering career playoff highs of 24 points and 10 assists with no turnovers in the Thunder’s 131-108 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3, the Belgian guard is officially the latest product of general manager Sam Presti’s formidable machine to prove he’s ready to contribute to Oklahoma City’s aspiring dynasty.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A person with knowledge of the negotiations says Steve Kerr has reached an agreement in principle on a two-year contract to continue coaching the Golden State Warriors. Kerr still must sign his new deal, the person told The Associated Press on Saturday night, speaking on condition of anonymity because the contract must be finalized. Kerr’s 12-year coaching run with the franchise has featured four championships and six NBA Finals appearances, including five straight alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green from 2015-19. Kerr shared an embrace with those two stars near the end of the loss in Phoenix, saying afterward he knew it could be their final time together.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Colorado Avalanche made a change in the net for the first time this postseason when they pulled Scott Wedgewood early in the second period of Game 3 of their second-round series after he allowed three goals to the Minnesota Wild. Wedgewood yielded to Mackenzie Blackwood as the Avalanche took their first loss of the playoffs in a 5-1 defeat. Blackwood played the whole first-round series for Colorado in a seven-game loss to Dallas last year. Wedgewood was 6-0 entering Game 3 to match a franchise postseason record. Coach Jared Bednar said he hasn't decided the Game 4 starter yet.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jackson Blake scored 5:28 into overtime for his second of the game, Logan Stankoven also scored in regulation and the Carolina Hurricanes finished a four-game sweep with a 3-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers to advance to the Eastern Conference finals for the second straight season. Frederik Andersen made 15 saves for Carolina, which has not lost in eight playoff games. Alex Bump and Tyson Foerster scored for the Flyers. Taylor Hall and Jaccob Slavin assisted the winning goal. Dan Vladar stopped 37 shots for Philadelphia.
CLEVELAND (AP) — James Harden hit three clutch shots in the final two minutes, Donovan Mitchell scored 35 points and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat Detroit 116-109 on Saturday to cut the Pistons’ lead to 2-1 in the Eastern Conference semifinal series. Harden bounced back from two mistake-marred performances to finish with 19 points and Jarrett Allen scored 18 for the Cavaliers, who will look to even the series when they host Game 4 on Monday night. Mitchell reached 2,000 career postseason points in his 73rd game. Detroit’s Cade Cunningham had his second career postseason triple-double with 27 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, but also committed eight turnovers. Tobias Harris added 21 points.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — When Indiana Fever fans returned to Gainbridge Fieldhouse for the season opener, it seemed everything was back in place. The street banners dotted the downtown landscape, the handmade signs were visible from any vantage point inside the sold out arena and, of course, Caitlin Clark jerseys and T-shirts remained a trendy favorite. And why not live it up as Clark’s 10-month wait to play a meaningful game on her home court finally ended with the weekend's featured matchup against Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings. The Wings held on for a 107-104 victory.
The video clip making the rounds shows Jordan Spieth and Scottie Scheffler competing as Dallas teenagers. Spieth was older by three years and had the better junior record. Now both are one leg away from the career Grand Slam. But the roles are reversed. Spieth's career has stalled. The PGA Championship this week at Aronimink is his 10th try at winning the final piece of the career slam. Scheffler has been No. 1 in the world for three straight years. He will get his first shot at the career Grand Slam in the U.S. Open next month at Shinnecock Hills.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Cameron Young is one of the hottest players on the PGA Tour, and he’s showing no signs up letting up. Seeking to win back-to-back events, Young threatened the course record at Quail Hollow on Saturday before settling for an 8-under 63, leaving him two shots behind Alex Fitzpatrick at the Truist Championship. Fitzpatrick was at 14-under 199 through 54 holes, one shot ahead of Norway’s Kristoffer Reitan after each shot 64. Young won last week’s Cadillac Championship at Doral by six strokes and has three wins in his last 14 starts.
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Sean Strickland regains the UFC’s 185-pound championship, defeating Khamzat Chimaev via split decision at UFC 328. The fight, held Saturday night, was marked by intense pre-fight trash talk but remained professional in the cage. Strickland, who previously lost the title in his first defense, apologized for his harsh words. In the co-main event, Joshua Van successfully defended his 125-pound title against Tatsuro Taira, marking the first UFC title fight between two Asian fighters. On the undercard, Jim Miller achieved a submission victory, his first fight since his son overcame cancer.
Finals
INTERLEAGUE
Final Cincinnati 3 Houston 1
Final Texas 6 Chicago Cubs 0
Final Milwaukee 4 N.Y. Yankees 3
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Final Toronto 14 L.A. Angels 1
Final Athletics 6 Baltimore 2
Final Kansas City 5 Detroit 1
Final Minnesota 2 Cleveland 1
Final Chicago White Sox 6 Seattle 1
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Final Miami 8 Washington 7
Final Philadelphia 9 Colorado 3
Final Arizona 2 N.Y. Mets 1
Final San Diego 4 St. Louis 2
Final Atlanta 7 L.A. Dodgers 2
Final Pittsburgh 13 San Francisco 3
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PLAYOFFS
Final Dallas 107 Indiana 104
Final Phoenix 99 Las Vegas 66
Final Atlanta 91 Minnesota 90
Final Chicago 98 Portland 83
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Final OT Carolina 3 Philadelphia 2