Celtics rout Knicks 115-93 to cut New York’s lead to 2-1 in the Eastern Conference semifinals
NEW YORK (AP) — Jayson Tatum had 22 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, Payton Pritchard scored 23 points and the Boston Celtics easily got their first win in the Eastern Conference semifinals by routing the New York Knicks 115-93 on Saturday in Game 3. The Celtics went 20 for 40 from 3-point range after going just 25 for 100 in their two losses in Boston, when they blew 20-point leads in the second half of both games. They went ahead by 31 in this one and there was never anything resembling a comeback for the Knicks. The Celtics will try to tie the series Monday night in Game 4 before returning to Boston for Game 5 on Wednesday.
Saints QB Derek Carr is retiring because of ‘significant degenerative changes’ to his right shoulder
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Saints say veteran quarterback Derek Carr has decided to retire because of a labral tear in his right shoulder and “significant degenerative changes” to his rotator cuff. The 34-year-old Carr has played for 11 pro seasons since being selected out of Fresno State by the then-Oakland Raiders in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft. Carr was acquired by the Saints as a free agent in 2023 but had mixed results in New Orleans, going 14-13 as a starter while also struggling through oblique, hand and head injuries that caused him to miss seven games last season. His retirement comes two weeks after the Saints selected Louisville QB Tyler Shough in the second round of the draft.
Aaron Judge hits 2 homers in his return to the Sacramento area
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Aaron Judge celebrated his return to the Sacramento area by hitting two home runs for the New York Yankees against the Athletics to extend his major league lead to 14. Judge is playing in the Sacramento area for the first time since college in New York’s first visit to the A’s temporary home near California’s capital. Judge was born in Sacramento and grew up not far away in Linden and had many friends and family in the crowd of 12,113 at the minor league park that is hosting the A’s.
Straka, Lowry handle blustery conditions at Truist, head into final round tied at Philly Cricket
FLOURTOWN, Pa. (AP) — Sepp Straka shot a 4-under 66 and Shane Lowry had a 67 in blustery conditions Saturday to share the lead heading into the final round of the Truist Championship. Straka started the round two strokes behind and offset his only bogey with five birdies — two in the final four holes — and made a clutch par putt from 16 1/2 feet at the 18th on the Philadelphia Cricket Club’s Wissahickon Course to finish at 14 under. Keith Mitchell, the leader after 18 and 36 holes, labored through a round of 1 over. He was 11 under with Justin Thomas, who charged up the leaderboard despite bogeys on the two par 5s in a 67.
U-S-A! U-S-A! Bradley enjoying spoils, patriotism, tough decisions as Ryder Cup captain
FLOURTOWN, Pa. (AP) — Keegan Bradley is slowly warming up to the All-American soundtrack of “U-S-A! U-S-A!” chants that follow him around the course ever since he was appointed U.S. Ryder Cup captain. The real surprise is the patriotic reception and thanks for his service he receives each week at gas stations, restaurants, almost any time the 38-year-old Vermont player goes out in public. Bradley heard it all this weekend at the Philadelphia Cricket Club, from fans yelling “Cap! Cap!” to the standard calls of “USA!” He was chosen as team captain last July after Tiger Woods could not accept the role to lead the 2025 matches at Bethpage Black in New York.
Stuart Skinner replaces injured Calvin Pickard as Oilers’ starter for Game 3 vs. Golden Knights
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — The Edmonton Oilers have switched goaltenders for Game 3 of their second-round playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights, with Stuart Skinner replacing Calvin Pickard on Saturday night. Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch says Pickard is considered day to day. Pickard took over as Edmonton’s starter during a first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings. He was stellar in Edmonton’s 5-4 overtime win in Game 2 with 28 saves, but he appeared uncomfortable in the third period and was seen shaking out his left leg.
Shedeur Sanders is trying to block out noise and focus on the Browns’ playbook
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Trying to get his jersey number back is the least of Shedeur Sanders’ worries. With a playbook to learn and trying to prove critics wrong after sliding to the fifth round in the NFL draft, the Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback knows he has a long way to go before he even considers making an offer to receiver DeAndre Carter to wear No. 2. Sanders took No. 12 because he said it was the best number available. Sanders and third-round pick Dillon Gabriel got plenty of snaps over the two days of practices. Besides trying to learn the playbook, there is refining technique and also trying to learn how to take snaps under center regularly.
Kyle Larson is ready for another busy May with ‘the Double’ on deck. But first, he defends at Kansas
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Kyle Larson has another busy month of May ahead of him as he takes another shot at “the Double,” which involves completing every lap of the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. He finished the rain-delayed Indy 500 last year, but more rain in Charlotte kept him from taking in laps in the NASCAR Cup Series race that night. But before the versatile Larson can turn his attention to Indy 500 qualifying next weekend, he will be defending his Cup Series win at Kansas on Sunday. Larson beat Chris Buescher a year ago in the closest finish in series history.
Haaland returns yet Man City stumbles to leave Champions League hopes in doubt
Manchester City’s Champions League qualification ambitions have been thrown back into doubt after a surprising 0-0 draw at already-relegated Southampton, the Premier League’s last-placed team. It could prove to be two crucial dropped points for third-placed City in a six-team race for the four remaining spots to get into the Champions League, along with champion Liverpool. Even Erling Haaland’s return after a six-week absence because of injury couldn’t inspire City. City has two more points than Newcastle, Chelsea and Aston Villa. Villa beat Bournemouth 1-0 thanks to Ollie Watkins’ goal that took him to a club-record 75 in the Premier League.
Sinner wins in return from doping ban before home crowd at Italian Open
ROME (AP) — Top-ranked Jannik Sinner has made a solid return from his three-month doping ban by beating 99th-ranked Mariano Navone 6-3, 6-4 before an adoring home crowd at the Italian Open. It was Sinner’s first match since he won his third Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January. There weren’t too many signs of rust and it didn’t take long for Sinner to start crushing his groundstrokes on or near the lines. When the Italian broke for 3-1 in the first set the crowd inside Campo Centrale sang “Ole, ole, ole, Sin-ner, Sin-ner.” Three-time Rome champion Iga Swiatek lost to Danielle Collins 6-1, 7-5.
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