Kennard scores 27, LeBron leads Lakers to surprising 107-98 win over Rockets in playoff opener
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Luke Kennard scored a career playoff-high 27 points, LeBron James had 19 points and 13 assists, and the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers capitalized on Kevin Durant's injury absence for a 107-98 victory over the Houston Rockets in the opener of their first-round playoff series on Saturday night. Deandre Ayton had 19 points and 11 rebounds for the fourth-seeded Lakers, who pulled off an impressive win without their top two scorers. Both teams played the opener without their...
Read MoreSun, 19 Apr 2026
- Kennard scores 27, LeBron leads Lakers to surprising 107-98 win over Rockets in playoff opener
- Brunson and Towns lead the Knicks past the Hawks 113-102 in Game 1 of their series
- Boldy has 2 goals and an assist as Wild overwhelm Stars 6-1 to open series
- Timberwolves coach calls Jamal Murrays 16 free throws a head scratcher as Nuggets take Game 1
- Bengals get star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence from Giants for 10th overall pick, AP sources say
- Lionel Messi scores 2 goals, Inter Miami beats Rapids 3-2, extends unbeaten streak to 7 games
Sat, 18 Apr 2026
- Sociedad beats Atletico on penalties to win Copa del Rey. American coach Matarazzo lifts 1st title
- Murray, Jokic lead Nuggets to 116-105 win over Timberwolves in physical opener to 1st-round series
- Matt Fitzpatrick overcomes slow start and leads Scheffler by 3 shots at Hilton Head
- Cavaliers Mitchell extends NBA-record streak of 30-point games to 9 in series openers
- Late goal hurts Tottenhams Premier League survival hopes and Chelsea loses to Man United
- Skydiver gets rescued after crashing into scoreboard before Virginia Tech spring game
- Mitchell scores 32 as Cavaliers defeat Raptors 126-113 in Game 1 of East first-round series
- Bundesligas first female coach, Marie-Louise Eta, looks ahead after Union Berlin loses on her debut
- Bayern Munich is on the verge of clinching the Bundesliga title after another Dortmund defeat
- Royals manager Matt Quatraro ejected after top of first inning in game against the Yankees
- NFL is not investigating Patriots coach Mike Vrabel for behavior regarding reporter Dianna Russini
- Angels ace Jos Soriano has an 0.28 ERA, 39 Ks after 5 phenomenal starts to begin the season
- Warriors coach Steve Kerr uncertain about his future, notes these jobs all have an expiration date
- Green scores 36 points, Suns lock down Warriors, Curry in 111-96 win in NBAs play-in tourney
- A mid-April snowstorm coats Coors Field as Dodgers-Rockies series gets off to frosty start
- The Magic found the formula for making the playoffs. For them, it was called desperation
- Magic rout Hornets 121-90 in play-in game, advance to face Pistons in 1st round of playoffs
- San Diego Padres are nearing a whopping sale, AP source says
- Oscar Schmidt, Basketball Hall of Famer from Brazil, dies at 68
- Jon Rahm keeps his focus on golf as LIV CEOs interview raises more questions about tours future
Fri, 17 Apr 2026
- Matt Fitzpatrick rides a good bounce and great golf to a 63 to lead Viktor Hovland at Hilton Head
- Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild finally set for Game 1 in long-expected 1st-round NHL playoff series
- Kevin Durant, LeBron James meet in playoffs for 4th time when Rockets visit short-handed Lakers
- Ballesteros, Hoerner and Happ homer as Cubs hand Mets their 9th straight loss in 12-4 romp
- Now with Atlanta, Angel Reese says she is grateful for her 2 years in Chicago but wanted more
- Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe are breaking up and phasing out their podcast
- Texans Will Anderson Jr. lands a record $150M extension, top-paid non-QB in NFL
- Prosecutors say makeup, wigs helped former Alabama tackle impersonate NFL players in $20M fraud
- AP Mock Draft 3.0: Real intrigue in NFL draft starts at No. 2 after Raiders take QB Fernando Mendoza
- Transgender athlete focuses on what may be her last track season as Supreme Court ruling looms
- $13 train fare spikes to $150 for World Cup fans attending matches in New Jersey
- Garret Anderson, the talented outfielder and Angels career hits leader, dies at 53
- Kevin Durant returns to the playoffs, leading the Rockets into a 1st-round clash with the Lakers
- Nebraska proposes $600 million renovation of Memorial Stadium to be finished in time for 2028 season
- Men caught competing in the womens category of a prestigious South African marathon
- George Russell says he wants to keep Max Verstappen in F1 but would understand if he goes
- Spurs Victor Wembanyama says he cant help but dream about NBA titles. His first chance is here
- The Lakers still have hope for the playoffs, even without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves for now
- Olympic pairs figure skating gold medalists Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara retire
- Club boss rules pioneering female soccer coach out of a permanent job with mens team
- Lynx re-sign 5-time All-Star forward Napheesa Collier
- Rookie pitcher Parker Messick comes within 3 outs of ending Clevelands 45-year no-hitter drought
- Devils hire two-time Panthers Stanley Cup-winning executive Sunny Mehta as general manager
Thu, 16 Apr 2026
- Ludvig Aberg cleans up his game and leads at Hilton Head with a 63
- Drone violations of restricted airspace at Colorado Rockies games prompt warning from authorities
- Bronny and LeBron James are looking forward to postseason playing time together with the Lakers
- Oklahoma standout LB Owen Heinecke gets court injunction to return to Sooners for another year
- Doncic and Cunningham eligible for NBA awards after appeals of 65-game rule. But Edwards is not
- LIV Golf leader says the show will go on amid reports of Saudi funding uncertainty
- Mike Trout crushes another Yankee Stadium homer, his fifth in four games
- Ex-NBA player Damon Jones is expected to become first person to plead guilty in gambling sweep
- Heat, Hornets react to NBA ruling on uncalled LaMelo Ball foul, and how hell be eligible to play
- Tiger Woods lawyer vows to fight subpoena for prescription records in DUI case
- Alex Ovechkin says hell determine his future based on health, family and the Capitals outlook
- Bryson Tiller bolts Kansas for rival Missouri after a breakout freshman season
- Correction: Jackie Robinson Day story
- Marie-Louise Eta, the Bundesligas first female coach, just wants to get on with her job
- FIFA president Infantino says Iran will participate in World Cup for sure despite war
- USOPC closely monitoring reaction to Wasserman but sidesteps questions about his LA28 leadership
- The Dodgers shattered MLBs spending record at $515 million in 2025, 7 times the lowest payroll
- French Open prize money up 10% to $72 million overall
- Mbapps trophyless streak in the Champions League continues after move to Real Madrid
- Aston Villa hosts Bologna with a 3-1 edge in Europa League quarterfinals
- Warriors wake up the echoes of their championship past in vintage comeback win over Clippers
- Shohei Ohtani pitches but doesnt bat for first time since 2021. Hes still sore from a hit-by-pitch
- Ohtani skips the bat, keeps the heat: 10 strikeouts as Dodgers send Mets to a 7th straight loss
- Stephen Curry, Al Horford lead Warriors past Clippers 126-121 with a huge play-in comeback
- Joel Embiid provides an emotional lift and Tyrese Maxey carries the 76ers into the playoffs
- Tyrese Maxey scores 31 and Sixers beat Magic 109-97 in play-in game, advance to series vs. Celtics
- NBA says LaMelo Balls takedown of Bam Adebayo should have been called flagrant, merited ejection
- Rousey gets Carano a big payday, and a chance to remind people of her fighting career
- Likelihood of NFL replacement refs enters new stage with background checks, physicals
- Singer leading Jackie Robinson festivities collapses before White Sox game against Rays
Wed, 15 Apr 2026
- NCAA urges further study of change that would start eligibility at HS graduation or age 19
- Texas QB Arch Manning says hes feeling 100 percent after foot surgery
- Bayern Munich beats Real Madrid 4-3 to reach Champions League semifinals
- Arsenal outlasts Sporting Lisbon to set up Champions League semifinal against Atletico Madrid
- Islanders promo raises funds for ex-NYPD officer convicted of manslaughter, angering victims family
- MLB and Twins are investigating Jarren Durans allegation that a fan told him to kill himself
- Hilton Head a time to exhale and move on from the Masters
- Lionel Messi accused of breaching $7 million contract by sitting out a Florida soccer friendly
- Aces re-sign four-time MVP Aja Wilson to lock in their dynasty core
- Tigers and rookie Kevin McGonigle agree to an $150 million, 8-year contract starting in 2027
- A resurgent Georgia and a resilient Arkansas are back at the NCAA gymnastics championships
- WrestleMania is back in Las Vegas after a big showing last year
- LaMelo Ball punches team mascot Hugo twice after Hornets knock Heat out of play-in tournament
- Orioles manager Craig Albernaz returns with a broken jaw a day after being hit by a foul ball
- Playoff party time in Philadelphia! Flyers, fans rejoice at long-awaited return to postseason
- Mets looking lost at the plate again in 7th straight loss
- Trail Blazers beat Suns 114-110 in play-in after clawing back from an 11-point 4th-quarter deficit
- Bam Adebayo injured after LaMelo Ball trips him. Heat coach says Ball should have been ejected
- Jarren Duran directs obscene gesture toward fan at Minnesota and says fan told him to kill himself
- LaMelo Balls layup, Miles Bridges block at buzzer give Hornets 127-126 win over Heat in play-in
Tue, 14 Apr 2026
- Atletico Madrid withstands Barcelonas early blitz to reach the Champions League semifinals
- Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves still out indefinitely with injuries as Lakers prepare for playoffs
- Ex-Michigan coach Sherrone Moore gets probation for confrontation with woman who disclosed affair
- Paris Saint-Germain beats Liverpool at Anfield to reach the Champions League semifinals
- New trial over Diego Maradonas death resumes in Argentina against 7 health care professionals
- NFL reporter Dianna Russini resigns from The Athletic after photos published of her with Mike Vrabel
- Money and tech have closed the gap between NCAA baseball and MLB. Thats good news for coaches
- Javier Mascherano is out as Inter Miamis coach, only 4 months after leading team to MLS Cup title
- Sergio Garcia apologizes for his Masters tantrum, saying the way he acted has no place in our game
- Matt Crocker quits as US Soccer Federation sporting director, just 2 months before World Cup
- Key reloads at Georgia Tech by adding 19 players through the transfer portal, including QB Mendoza
- Clippers stunning turnaround: From 6-21 to the play-in and a shot at the playoffs
- Dallas Wings select Azzi Fudd of UConn No. 1 in WNBA draft with a $500,000 payday waiting
- Knueppel and Ball finished 1-2 in the NBA in 3s. Now they hope to get Hornets to the playoffs
- ESPN rolls out big-event coverage as WrestleMania 42 streams on its app for the first time
- Mike Trout vs. Aaron Judge turns into starry slugfest of 3-time MVPs as Yankees edge Angels 11-10
- Judge, Grisham HR twice, overcome Trouts 2 homers in Yanks 11-10 win over Angels that stops skid
- National champion UCLA has a record night at the WNBA draft with 5 first-round picks and 6 overall
Mon, 13 Apr 2026
- Tar Heels Caleb Wilson makes 1-and-done leap official as top NBA prospect
- Rookies help bring Met Gala energy to the WNBA drafts orange carpet
- Famed ESPN college basketball voice Dick Vitale facing another battle with cancer
- Patriots exec says Business as usual for Mike Vrabel ahead of the NFL draft
- LeBron James must try to carry yet another team to playoff success with Lakers Doncic, Reaves out
- The Thunder top NBA playoff odds, the Spurs own the season series and the Celtics hover close
- Ty Gibbs is having fun as a new NASCAR Cup winner while trying to maintain his low profile
- Tyrese Haliburton says its shingles, not Achilles recovery, that will test him this offseason
- Swimming becomes first major Olympic sport to lift restrictions on Russian athletes
- Bucks disappointing finish leads to an uncertain offseason regarding Giannis Antetokounmpos future
- Rory McIlroy a Masters champion again and the chase is on for more majors
- Doc Rivers steps down as Bucks coach after 32-50 season that snapped 9-year playoff streak
- Doc Rivers isnt expected back as Bucks coach next season, AP source says
- Dont miss it! Cyclings golden era delivers weekly brilliance and once-in-a-lifetime rivalries
- Jannik Sinner reclaims the No. 1 ranking from Carlos Alcaraz and sets sights on the French Open
- MLB games are lasting a little longer this season. One reason could be the new ABS system
- Play-in tournament will decide the final 4 spots in NBA playoff field
- NBA play-in games are set: Heat-Hornets, Magic-76ers, Suns-Blazers, Clippers-Warriors
- Cooper Flaggs standout rookie season ends as the No. 1 pick of the Mavs injures ankle in finale
- Giannis Antetokounmpo calls it disrespectful that Bucks benched him in final weeks of season
- Ovechkin response to fans request for 1 more year: Ill think about it
- All-Star Gabby Williams joins the Valkyries on a multiyear deal and Alyssa Thomas returns to Phoenix
- Scottie Scheffler falls a stroke short of a record Masters comeback after a flawless weekend
- Rory McIlroy goes back-to-back at the Masters to join Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods
- Jokic to start for Nuggets versus Spurs to quality for award eligibility while Wemby sits
Sun, 12 Apr 2026
- Justin Rose rues his miscues through Amen Corner and another lost chance at winning the Masters
- Ty Gibbs earns first NASCAR Cup victory at Bristol, beating Kyle Larson and Ryan Blaney
- Ovechkin, Capitals keep postseason hopes alive with 3-0 victory over Penguins
- Tillman Scholars make connections with each other and the community at annual Pats Run
- Man City closes in on Arsenal in Premier League title race with 3-0 win over Chelsea
- Former major league infielder Phil Garner, who managed Astros first World Series team, dies at 76
- Sergio Garcia breaks driver in frustration, then gets code-of-conduct warning, a first at Masters
- Kings will bring back coach Doug Christie for a second full season, AP source says
- Sinner beats Alcaraz in straight sets in Monte Carlo final to reclaim No. 1 ranking
- The NHL playoffs have plenty of fresh blood, and a new Stanley Cup champion will be crowned
- Chicago Sky land rising star Rickea Jackson from LA Sparks in a trade for Ariel Atkins
- The NBAs playoff push for this season has hit its final day. Heres a look at whats happening
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