PARIS (AP) — In all sports, there are advantages to being at home. Being a visitor playing a French player at the French Open tennis tournament can feel as though the whole world is against you. The crowds don’t just cheer. They boo, they whistle, they make noise between serves, they hurl insults — and, at least once, even gum — at the locals’ opponents. That sort of behavior is why the tournament organizers banned alcohol from the stands in 2024, a policy still in place. For the French players, the atmosphere brings both motivation and pressure — especially as the country’s decades-long title drought continues.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Tyrese Haliburton had 32 points, 15 assists and 12 rebounds without a turnover in a sensational postseason performance to lead the Indiana Pacers past the New York Knicks 130-121 on Tuesday night for a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference finals. With his father, John, back in Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Haliburton carried the Pacers to within a victory of their second trip to the NBA Finals. Game 5 is Thursday in New York. Pascal Siakam added 30 points while Haliburton had four steals in his second career postseason triple-double. Obi Toppin’s 3-pointer with 46 seconds left sealed it. The Pacers have not lost consecutive games since March 10.
CLEVELAND (AP) — Shohei Ohtani became the third player in Dodgers history to reach 20 homers in the team’s first 55 games with a two-run drive during the fourth inning against the Cleveland Guardians. The Japanese star joined Gil Hodges (21 in 1951) and Cody Bellinger (20 in 2019) as Dodgers with at least 20 homers in the first 55 games. It is the 64th time a player in the majors did it in the same span, the firsy since the New York Mets’ Pete Alonso in 2023. Ohtani, who a three-time MVP who leads the major leagues in homers, drove a cutter from Tanner Bibee into the left-field stands for a 4-0 lead.
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Corey Perry scored the tiebreaking goal on a power play in the second period and Stuart Skinner made 28 saves as the Edmonton Oilers beat the Dallas Stars 4-1 Tuesday night to take a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference finals. Perry finished with a goal and an assist, Leon Draisaitl also scored with a man advantage and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins added two assists for Edmonton, which can advance to the Stanley Cup Final with a victory over the Stars in Game 5 on Thursday night. Jason Robertson scored on a power play in the second period for Dallas. Jake Oettinger finished with 29 saves.
LONDON (AP) — Following on from “Drive To Survive,” which sparked a boom in Formula 1’s audience through its mix of on-track action and behind-the-scenes insight, “F1: The Academy” debuts on Netflix on Wednesday. It’s set to bring unprecedented attention to a women’s-only racing series. The series follows F1 Academy, a competition which can make or break careers and runs as a support series to F1 Grand Prix races. Last year's champion Abbi Pulling tells The Associated Press that the extra attention is “a huge opportunity” and she couldn’t have afforded to keep racing without F1 Academy.
NEW YORK (AP) — The WNBA says it cannot substantiate claims that racist fan behavior took place during a game in Indianapolis between the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever earlier this month. The league said its investigation included gathering information from fans, team and arena staff, as well as an “audio and video review of the game.” The league said, “we have not substantiated it.”
NEW YORK (AP) — After hitting a two-run shot for the New York Mets on Tuesday night, Jared Young was reminded it was his first major league homer in 613 days. He said it certainly felt that long, and it also felt good. Called up from the minors Saturday after spending part of last season in South Korea, the designated hitter from Canada helped power the Mets to a 6-4 victory over the Chicago White Sox. Young gave New York a 4-2 lead in the first inning with a drive over the right-field fence that marked his third career longball and first in the big leagues since Sept. 22, 2023.
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Mason Rudolph says he's focused on being the best quarterback he can for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and not the club's pursuit of four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers. Rudolph returned to Pittsburgh on a two-year deal in March. At the moment, he is also the most experienced quarterback on the roster. That would change if Rodgers signs. Rudolph says he's learned during his career that there's always noise surrounding a team and that he can only control what he can control.
DUBLIN, Ohio (AP) — The Tour Championship is getting another overhaul. The PGA Tour has voted to scrap the controversial staggered start for the FedEx Cup finale. Starting this year, the 30 players who qualify for East Lake will all start at even par. The low score on a tougher setup wins the FedEx Cup. There could be a few more tweaks. And still to be determined is the payout. The tour said the distribution would be a little more balanced to account for all 30 players having an equal chance. It also wants to be sure the top player all season is rewarded.
UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) — Paige Bueckers scored a season-best 21 points in her return to Connecticut to earn her first win as a pro in Dallas' 109-87 victory over the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday night. It’s been a week of homecomings for Bueckers as the former UConn star played in the state of Connecticut for the first time since helping the Huskies win the school’s 12th national championship nearly two months ago. Six days earlier she played in Minnesota where she grew up. With the victory, Bueckers remained unbeaten at Mohegan Sun Arena, where the Sun plays their home games. She went 15-0 at the arena, including winning four Big East championships while playing for UConn.
INTERLEAGUE
Final Detroit 3 San Francisco 1
Final L.A. Dodgers 9 Cleveland 5
Final St. Louis 7 Baltimore 4
Final N.Y. Mets 6 Chicago White Sox 4
Final Cincinnati 7 Kansas City 2
Final Milwaukee 5 Boston 1
Final Seattle 9 Washington 1
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AMERICAN LEAGUE
Final Minnesota 4 Tampa Bay 2
Final Texas 2 Toronto 0
Final Houston 11 Athletics 1
Final N.Y. Yankees 3 L.A. Angels 2
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NATIONAL LEAGUE
Final Philadelphia 2 Atlanta 0
Final Chicago Cubs 4 Colorado 3
Final Pittsburgh 9 Arizona 6
Final San Diego 8 Miami 6
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NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PLAYOFFS
Final Indiana 130 New York 121
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NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Final Edmonton 4 Dallas 1