U.S./World Sports category, Page 107
Top teams not worried when NASCAR Cup Series takes only break in grinding schedule
SONOMA, Calif. — The relentless grind of the NASCAR Cup Series pauses this week, and just about everybody involved with the cars is looking to take advantage. Martin Truex Jr. plans to go fishing after claiming his second victory of the season Sunday at Sonoma Raceway. Aric Almirola’s wife and...
Brittney Griner, Mercury teammates confronted at airport by ‘provocateur,’ WNBA says
DALLAS — Brittney Griner and her Phoenix Mercury teammates were confronted by a “provocateur” at a Dallas airport on Saturday. The WNBA said in a statement it was looking into the team’s run-in with a “social media figure” whose “actions were inappropriate and unfortunate.” “The safety of Brittney Griner and...
Heat upgrade Tyler Herro to questionable for Game 5 of NBA Finals
Miami guard Tyler Herro has been upgraded to questionable for Game 5 of the NBA Finals, a strong indication that the Heat plan on having him available to play against the Denver Nuggets on Monday night as they try to extend their season. Herro has not played since breaking his...
Analysis: Novak Djokovic has 23 Slams, so is he the GOAT?
PARIS — The query was swift and direct. Novak Djokovic’s reply was slow, thoughtful and revelatory, delivered in paragraphs. “How does it feel,” a reporter wanted to know, “to be the greatest male player in history?” First, a quick bit of background: Djokovic’s championship at the 2023 French Open, earned...
As Nuggets near title, Jamal Murray blossoms into all-around point guardVideo
DENVER — Even back when Jamal Murray was racking up 50-point games in the NBA bubble, Denver coach Michael Malone marveled as much over his Canadian point guard’s pinpoint passes as his magnificent moves and fadeaway baskets. “Well, I’ve long said that Jamal is not just a scorer,” declared Malone,...
Winnipeg-born Nick Taylor makes long eagle putt on 4th playoff hole to win Canadian OpenVideo
TORONTO — Nick Taylor became the first Canadian in 69 years to win his national open, holing a 72-foot eagle putt on the fourth playoff hole to beat Tommy Fleetwood in the RBC Canadian Open on Sunday. Taylor tossed his putter into the air and jumped into the arms of...
For this US Open in LA, fairways look wider than they really areVideo
LOS ANGELES — Rickie Fowler was walking toward his golf ball in the 18th fairway on a cool, cloudy Sunday afternoon when he looked to his right and to his left and asked a most unusual question for any U.S. Open but this one. “Are these the widest fairways for...
Martin Truex Jr. surges to 4th career Sonoma Raceway victoryVideo
SONOMA, Calif. — Martin Truex Jr. won at Sonoma Raceway for the fourth time in his career Sunday, passing Chase Elliott for the lead after a final-stage restart and holding off Kyle Busch for his second NASCAR Cup Series victory of the season. The 42-year-old Truex confidently drove his Joe...
Another horse dies at Belmont Park, 2nd fatality in 24 hours after Belmont StakesVideo
NEW YORK — Another horse died after racing at Belmont Park, the second fatality in 24 hours after the Belmont Stakes. Mashnee Girl fell near the quarter pole and suffered a catastrophic injury to her left front leg, according to New York Racing Association spokesman Pat McKenna. The 5-year-old mare...
Pep Guardiola looks to build on Man City success in Champions League after finally conquering EuropeVideo
MANCHESTER, England — Almost immediately after leading Manchester City to its first Champions League title on Saturday, Pep Guardiola spoke of the need to build on that success. Real Madrid’s record haul of 14 European Cups is safe for some time yet — but there is every reason to believe...
Novak Djokovic wins his 23rd Grand Slam title by beating Casper Ruud in the French Open finalVideo
PARIS — Novak Djokovic made clear for years that this was his goal. The biggest titles from his sport’s biggest stages were Djokovic’s focus, and now he finally stands ahead of Rafael Nadal, ahead of Roger Federer, ahead of every man who ever has swung a racket. If Djokovic could...
Conor McGregor knocks out Heat mascot in bizarre promotion at NBA Finals
MIAMI — Former UFC champion Conor McGregor knocked out the Miami Heat mascot in a midgame bit that went wrong. Burnie — more specifically, the man who occupies Burnie’s costume — briefly sought medical attention Friday night after taking two punches from McGregor during a third-quarter stoppage of Game 4...
Arcangelo wins Belmont Stakes to make Jena Antonucci 1st female trainer to win the raceVideo
NEW YORK — Arcangelo took the lead at the top of the stretch and won the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, making Jena Antonucci the first female trainer to win the race in its 155 years. After the horse crossed the finish line, Antonucci doubled over and rested her arm and...
Chase Elliott’s return highlights NASCAR Cup racers’ stop at Sonoma road courseVideo
SONOMA, Calif. — Chase Elliott is back from his suspension with a chance to get right back in the win column. The NASCAR Cup Series’ most popular driver excels on road courses such as Sonoma Raceway, where he has four career top-10 finishes. Elliott has the skills to take on...
Nuggets showing plenty of poise in these NBA Finals against HeatVideo
MIAMI — The Denver Nuggets act like they have been here before. There is an unmistakable poise to the Nuggets, who are only one win away from their first NBA championship and could hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy as early as Monday night when the finals return to Denver for...
U.S. Open in L.A. nearly afterthought with Saudi, PGA Tour deal
LOS ANGELES — The toughest test in golf takes on several meanings for this U.S. Open. Tough usually starts with the golf course, and the North course at Los Angeles Country Club figures to be every bit of that, even if it’s a mystery to most. It has never hosted...
Facts and figures from the 1st U.S. Open in LA in 75 years
LOS ANGELES — A brief look at the 123rd U.S. Open, the first time in 75 years it goes to Los Angeles: Dates: June 15-18. Site: The Los Angeles Country Club (North). Length: 7,421 yards. Par: 70. Cut: Top 60 and ties. Playoff (if necessary): Two-hole aggregate immediately after 72...
Iga Swiatek tops Karolina Muchova in the French Open final for her 3rd trophy in Paris, 4th SlamVideo
PARIS — Iga Swiatek suddenly seemed lost in the French Open final. Her strokes were awry. Her confidence was gone. Her big early lead vanished, too. She kept looking up into the stands, seeking guidance from her coach and her sports psychologist. So much was amiss right up until she...
Horse safety, health the focus of racing community amid spate of thoroughbred deaths
Veteran sport horse trainer and harness race driver Mike Wilder respects the art of balance. After 38 years as a driver and more than 8,800 wins in his career, he scrutinizes many factors when it comes to taking care of his athletes — the horses expected to run at least...
Nuggets now in full command of NBA Finals, top Heat for 3-1 lead
MIAMI — Aaron Gordon scored 27 points, Nikola Jokic added 23 and the Denver Nuggets moved one win away from their first NBA championship by beating the Miami Heat, 108-95, on Friday night to take a 3-1 lead in the title series. Bruce Brown scored 21 off the bench for...
PGA Tour rookie Carl Yuan leads by 1 at Canadian Open; McIlroy 3 backVideo
TORONTO — Carl Yuan moved into position to turn around a forgettable rookie year on the PGA Tour, shooting a 5-under-par 67 in cool, rainy conditions Friday to take a one-shot lead at the midway point of the RBC Canadian Open. Two-time defending champion Rory McIlroy gave himself a chance...
Secretariat Triple Crown celebration at Belmont subdued by death and air qualityVideo
This was supposed to be the year thoroughbred racing celebrated the 50th anniversary of Secretariat’s magnificent Triple Crown triumph as the current crop of 3-year-olds finished their run on center stage. Heading into the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes on Saturday, the racing has become almost an afterthought as the public...
Nuggets’ Christian Braun seeking NBA title a year after winning NCAA championship
DENVER — Denver Nuggets rookie Christian Braun is showing that the NBA Finals is not too big of a stage for him. The 21st pick in the draft last summer, Braun has made the most of his minutes off the bench, sinking 10 of 12 shots, grabbing a half dozen...
No. 1 Iga Swiatek seeks a 3rd French Open title in women’s final against Karolina Muchova
PARIS — A little more than four years ago, in the first round of a tiny clay-court tournament in the Czech Republic, 95th-ranked Iga Swiatek lost in three sets to 106th-ranked Karolina Muchova. That was the only time they’ve ever played each other, although they are frequent practice partners. On...
Belmont Park will resume live racing after air quality improves ahead of Belmont Stakes
ELMONT, N.Y. — Live racing will resume at Belmont Park on Friday following significant improvement in air quality conditions in the state, the New York Racing Association announced. Both Belmont and Saratoga reopened for training Friday morning, and the 11-card race will start at 12:50 p.m. The NYRA said in...
