LeBron James has options. He could stay with the Los Angeles Lakers. He could decide to join another team. He could even retire and end the longest career in NBA history. He knows all this. He just doesn’t know the answer. His 23rd season ended Monday night when the Lakers were eliminated by the Oklahoma City Thunder. At 41, James likely doesn’t have many years left to play — if any. And now he’ll start the process of figuring out what he wants to do, what his family wants him to do and what’s best for all parties involved.
CLEVELAND (AP) — Donovan Mitchell had his worst first half in a playoff game since joining the Cleveland Cavaliers in September 2022. No problem. The All-Star guard followed it up with one of the best 24-minute stretches by a player in NBA playoff history Monday night. After scoring only four points in the first half, Mitchell responded with 39 in the second half, tying the NBA playoff record for most points in a half as the Cavaliers rallied for a 112-103 victory over the Detroit Pistons in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series.
San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama won't face further discipline from the NBA for elbowing Minnesota’s Naz Reid in Game 4 of the teams’ Western Conference semifinal series, according to a person with knowledge of the league’s decision. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the league didn't publicly release any details of its evaluation and investigative process. Wembanyama will be eligible to play Game 5 on Tuesday in San Antonio. The series is tied at two games apiece.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Ross Colton and Parker Kelly each scored their first goals of the postseason in the third period for Colorado as the Avalanche snapped back from a midseries lull and beat the Minnesota Wild 5-2 in Game 4 to take a 3-1 lead in the second round of the NHL playoffs. Mackenzie Blackwood made 19 saves in his first start this postseason after relieving Scott Wedgewood during the 5-1 loss in Game 3. The Avalanche moved within one win of the Western Conference finals. Danila Yurov and Nico Sturm scored for the Wild.
NEW YORK (AP) — The Buffalo Bills' first regular-season game in their new stadium will be against the Detroit Lions on Sept. 17 and will kick off Amazon Prime Video’s “Thursday Night Football” schedule. The matchup was one of three announced by the NFL on Monday on Monday as NBC, Fox and Prime Video made their upfront presentations to advertisers. The Dallas Cowboys were part of the other two unveilings. The Cowboys will visit the New York Giants in the first NBC “Sunday Night Football” game of the season on Sept. 13 and they will host the Philadelphia Eagles on Fox on Thanksgiving Day Nov. 26.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles is set to host eight World Cup matches, including the U.S. opener against Paraguay on June 12 at SoFi Stadium. The city is famous for its sun, surf, celebrity sightings and diverse food scene. There’s everything to eat from Latin, Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine to burgers and fries, donuts and French-dip sandwiches. Visitors also will notice the ongoing homeless crisis and high gas prices. The FIFA Fan Festival runs from June 11-14, with 10 other fan zones open through July 19.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs have transformed Arrowhead Stadium to host World Cup games, fulfilling a long-held dream of the Hunt family. The stadium will host six pool-play games starting next month, including a round of 32 match and a quarterfinal. The first match, featuring Argentina and Algeria, is June 16. The stadium was built in 1972, and that meant it had to undergo significant changes to meet FIFA's requirements, including seat removal and field upgrades. The Chiefs have collaborated for nearly a decade to make this happen. Fans will be bussed in from satellite parking areas because of limited parking while signage is being stripped to avoid any conflicts in sponsorships.
NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. (AP) — The first day of practice for the PGA Championship at Aronimink made it clear what's important. The greens are big. And so are the slopes on the putting surfaces. Keegan Bradley won the BMW Championship at Aronimink in 2018. He says driving isn't the biggest issue, but the greens can be crazy with all the slopes. Matt Fitzpatrick says it will be hard for the PGA to find enough pin positions on some of them. Jordan Spieth played nine holes to get ready for his 10th try at completing the career Grand Slam. He's missing only the PGA.
STUART, Fla. (AP) — Tiger Woods’ attorney and prosecutors are set to argue about whether the golfer’s prescription drug records should be handed over to the state following his March arrest in Florida on suspicion of driving under the influence. A hearing is scheduled for Tuesday morning in Martin County circuit court. Prosecutors have issued a subpoena seeking copies of all prescription medication records for the legendary golfer from the start of the year through the end of March. Woods' attorney says his client has a constitutional right to privacy when it comes to his prescription medications. If the judge determines the drug records are necessary, the defense has also asked for a protective order limiting their release. Woods has pleaded not guilty.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon skated off with a bloody nose after being struck by a puck hit by teammate Devon Toews in the second period of Game 4 of their second-round NHL playoff series against the Minnesota Wild. The league’s leading goal scorer during the regular season collapsed to his knees in pain before an athletic trainer arrived to press a towel under his nose and help him skate off the ice. Blood streamed down the inside of MacKinnon’s visor as he went up the tunnel for further treatment shortly before the second intermission. He returned for the third period and had an empty-net goal in Colorado’s 5-2 win.
Finals
INTERLEAGUE
Final Arizona 1 Texas 0
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Final Baltimore 3 N.Y. Yankees 2
Final Cleveland 7 L.A. Angels 2
Final Tampa Bay 8 Toronto 5
Final Seattle 3 Houston 1
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Final San Francisco 9 L.A. Dodgers 3
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Final Colorado 5 Minnesota 2