NBA:
In the NBA playoffs, Golden State won against Oklahoma City 118-91 to tie the series at 1 game apiece.
The New York Knicks apparently have found a new head coach. A person with knowledge of the details tells The Associated Press that the Knicks are working on a deal to hire former Phoenix coach Jeff Hornacek. The Suns went 101-112 in 2 ½ years under Hornacek, who was fired after opening this season with a 14-35 record.
The NBA says next month's draft will return to Barclays Center in Brooklyn for the fourth straight year. The draft will be held June 23rd at the home of the Nets, who don't have a first-round pick. They previously traded it to the Boston Celtics, who have the 3rd overall selection. Tickets will be available beginning Monday at www.NBATickets.com.
NHL:
In the NHL playoffs, Pittsburgh doubled up Tampa Bay 4-2 to take a 2-1 series lead.
Washington's Brian MacLellan, Pittsburgh's Jim Rutherford and Jim Nill of Dallas are the finalists for the NHL General Manager of the Year Award. The winner will be announced at the NHL Awards in Las Vegas on June 22.
A two-time Stanley Cup champion hockey player from Massachusetts has been freed without bail after pleading not guilty to federal drug charges. The Boston Globe reports Kevin Stevens spent five nights in jail since his arrest last Thursday before his arraignment Tuesday on charges of conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute oxycodone.
Shawn Tolleson's fourth blown save has cost him the closer's role in Texas. Tolleson has 11 saves this season, but he was demoted after surrendering a game-winning grand slam by Oakland's Khris Davis with two out in the bottom of the ninth on Tuesday. The Rangers have absorbed a major league-high six walk-off losses, matching their total from last season. Sam Dyson becomes the Rangers' new ninth-inning workhorse.
MLB:
In baseball, in the American League, in a double header Kansas City beat Boston 3-2 then Boston topped Kansas City 5-2, Houston won against the White Sox 5-3, Tampa Bay doubled up Toronto 6-3, Baltimore bested Seattle 5-2, Oakland blasted Texas 8-1, and it was Detroit over Minnesota 6-3.
In the National League, Washington blasted the Mets 7-1, the Cubs edged Milwaukee 2-1 in 13 innings, St. Louis blanked Colorado 2-0, San Francisco slid past San Diego 2-1, Atlanta bested Pittsburgh 3-1, and it was Philadelphia over Miami 4-2.
In interleague play the Yankees doubled up Arizona 4-2, Cleveland edged Cincinnati 8-7 in 12 innings, and it was the Angels over the Dodgers 8-1.
It looks like it will be July before Hartford's minor-league Yard Goats plays a home game at its still-under-construction stadium. WTNH-TV reports the new timeframe came from a stadium authority official after a meeting yesterday. Area media report Mayor Luke Bronin also suggested the city could pursue fines against the stadium developer.
Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner has backed manager Joe Girardi and his coaching staff and has blamed players for the team's slow start. With New York last in the AL East at 16-22, Steinbrenner singled out Mark Teixeira, Chase Headley, Michael Pineda and Luis Severino for criticism Wednesday.
WNBA:
In the WNBA, Minnesota beat Chicago 97-80, Dallas won against Washington 87-77, and it was Indiana over Phoenix 97-93.
NFL:
Former New England Patriots running back Kevin Faulk, who helped deliver three Super Bowl championships to the team in his 13-year career, has been voted by fans into the Patriots Hall of Fame. Team owner Robert Kraft said Wednesday that the 1999 second-round draft pick from LSU was a "selfless and tireless contributor to the team."
Don't look for Rob Gronkowski to spike his slippers in the end zone anytime soon. The New England Patriots' star tight end had a dance lesson with Nathalia Arja, a soloist from the Miami City Ballet — and his bulk didn't exactly make him a natural. A video of the lesson from men's magazine GQ is getting lots of clicks and laughs on social media.
MLS:
Kwadwo Poku scored to help New York City FC to a draw with Toronto FC 1-1 Wednesday night. Poku opened the scoring in the 16th minute for NYCFC. The second-year New York team extended its club-record unbeaten streak to five games, but had its record-tying winning run end at three.
Mike Grella scored early in the second half after a Chicago turnover and the New York Red Bulls beat the Fire 1-0 Wednesday night for their third win in five games. After a 1-6 start, the Red Bulls are 3-1-1.
NCAA:
As many as 50 class-action lawsuits contesting how the NCAA, major college football conferences or individual schools handled concussions will be filed in the coming months by former players seeking damages for lingering brain injuries and ailments. The first batch of six lawsuits was filed Tuesday by Chicago-based attorney Jay Edelson. He said the next wave will likely be filed within the next two weeks.
FIFA:
The former head of the Nicaraguan soccer federation has pleaded not guilty in Brooklyn federal court to racketeering charges, part of the sprawling bribery case involving FIFA. Julio Rocha is the last of six men, including two FIFA vice presidents, to be extradited to the United States after their arrests in Zurich last May. Another was extradited to Uruguay. Rocha was freed on $1.5 million bail after he agreed to submit to electronic monitoring and stay at a Florida residence until trial.
Six players on France's national soccer team were given an early morning wake-up by anti-doping authorities at the team's training camp ahead of the European Championship. The French soccer federation says a doctor mandated by the French anti-doping agency showed up at the players' hotel in Biarritz, in southwestern France, at 6:15 a.m. on Thursday. The identities of the six players were not revealed. Euro 2016 will be held in France from June 10-July 10. According to UEFA, doping controls will take place at each of the 51 matches, with a minimum of two players from each team selected to give blood and urine samples, with the possibility of extra testing during rest days.
NASCAR:
NASCAR has fined the crew chief for driver Kasey Kahne (kayn) following a failed post-race inspection. Crew chief Keith Rodden was fined $25,000, Kahne was docked 15 points in the standings, and the No. 5 team lost 15 points in the owners' standings. The No. 5 Chevrolet did not meet specifications on NASCAR's laser platform post-race after Kahne finished fourth at Dover International Speedway last weekend.
Horse Racing:
Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist has drawn the No. 3 gate in the Preakness and was installed as the 3-5 morning-line favorite. Nyquist started the Kentucky Derby from the 13th post and won the 20-horse race by 1 1/4 lengths. Derby runner-up Exaggerator has the best Preakness odds behind Nyquist at 3-1 and will start from the fifth post position.
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