NBA:
In NBA playoffs, Toronto beat Indiana 98-87 to tie the series 1-1, Dallas topped Oklahoma City 85-84 to tie the series 1-1, and the Golden State Warriors were able to take a two-games-to-none lead in the NBA's Western Conference quarterfinals last night despite the absence of Stephen Curry beating Houston 115-106.
The Golden State Warriors will allow top assistant Luke Walton to interview with other teams -- but not while they're involved in a playoff series. Knicks president Phil Jackson has talked with Walton but Warriors coach Steve Kerr insists Walton hasn't interviewed for the Knicks' vacancy.
San Antonio's Kawhi Leonard has been named the winner of the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year award for the second straight year. Leonard beat out Draymond Green of the Warriors to become the first non-center to win the award in consecutive seasons since Dennis Rodman in 1989-90 and 1990-91. The 6-foot-7 Leonard received 84 first-place votes and 547 points from a panel of 130 sports writers and broadcasters throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Detroit Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy has been fined $25,000 for public criticism of officiating. Van Gundy made his comments in a live television interview during the Sunday's loss at Cleveland in Game 1 of the Pistons' first-round playoff series.
NHL:
In the NHL playoffs, Washington topped Philadelphia 6-1 for at 3-0 series lead, Minnesota beat Dallas 5-3 the Stars lead the series 2-1, and it was Los Angeles over San Jose in overtime 2-1 the Sharks lead the series 2-1.
New York Rangers captain Ryan McDonagh has practiced for the first time since being hurt two weeks ago. Coach Alain Vigneault says McDonagh's status for Game 3 of the first round series against Pittsburgh at Madison Square Garden tonight is doubtful. The Rangers split the opening two games of the best-of-7 series in Pittsburgh, playing both games without McDonagh.
MLB:
In baseball, in the American League, Toronto beat Boston 4-3 and it was the Angels over the White Sox 7-0.
In the National League, the Mets bested Philadelphia 5-2, Colorado topped Cincinnati 5-1, Miami won against Washington 6-1, the Cubs blanked St. Louis 5-0, and it was Arizona over San Francisco 9-7 in 11 innings.
In interleague play, Minnesota topped Milwaukee 7-4 in 5 ½ innings.
The Minnesota Twins have hired former manager Ron Gardenhire as a special assistant to general manager Terry Ryan. His responsibilities include traveling to all minor league affiliates as an instructor and evaluator. The Twins fired Gardenhire in 2014 after Minnesota finished that season 70-92. He spent 27 years in the Twins organization, including 13 years as manager.
NFL:
A federal appeals court in Philadelphia has upheld an estimated $1 billion plan by the NFL to settle thousands of concussion lawsuits filed by former players, potentially ending a troubled chapter in league history. The decision comes nearly a year after a district judge approved the revised settlement. A lead attorney for the plaintiffs says some benefits could be available within three to four months for players with documented medical history.
The New York Giants have re-signed Pro Bowl placekicker Josh Brown. Contract terms were not immediately available. Brown scored a career-high 134 points, the fifth-highest total in the NFL and the fourth-highest total in Giants history. His previous best was 127 points with Seattle in 2007.
The New York Jets have begun voluntary offseason workouts without quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson. Fitzpatrick is a free agent who's locked in a contract stalemate, leaving the Jets' quarterback situation unsettled. Wilkerson has yet to sign his franchise tag tender, worth $15.7 million, as he seeks a contract extension.
The Chiefs' appeal of anti-tampering violations has been denied by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, meaning Kansas City will forfeit its third-round draft pick this year and sixth-round pick next year. The club did have its fine reduced from $250,000 to $200,000. Coach Andy Reid's fine was reduced from $75,000 to $60,000. The violations stem from the Chiefs contacting then-free agent wide receiver Jeremy Maclin when prohibited by NFL rules. Maclin, who had been drafted by Reid in Philadelphia, eventually signed with Kansas City.
In other NFL news:
— Colts quarterback Andrew Luck has told reporters that he has recovered from a kidney injury that forced him to miss the last seven games in 2015. Luck also missed two games last season with a right shoulder injury and says the shoulder feels good, but that there's still some offseason work to do before he's 100 percent.
— Bills backup defensive tackle Corbin Bryant has signed his qualifying offer. Bryant's rights were retained by the Bills when the team tendered him a one-year contract.
— The Vikings have re-signed fullback Zach Line, who has appeared in 20 games over three NFL seasons. The deal comes six weeks after the restricted free agent signed a contract tender that gave the Vikings the right to match any offer from another team.
— Wide receiver and special teamer Josh Bellamy has signed his exclusive rights tender with the Bears. Bellamy was second on the team last season with 10 special teams tackles, and also finished with 19 receptions for 224 yards and two touchdowns.
— Veteran defensive tackle Chris Jones has been claimed off waivers by the Miami Dolphins after missing last season because of an injury. Jones started for the New England Patriots in 2013 and 2014 but was on the physically unable to perform list last year.
Marathon:
Adrianne Haslet, a professional ballroom dancer who lost part of a leg in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings, finished the marathon yesterday evening after spending nearly 10 hours on the course. She received congratulations from President Barack Obama, who posted to Twitter that "bombs can't beat us. We carry on. We finish the race!"
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