CJ McCollum takes Young’s place in Atlanta and as MSG’s villain in leading Hawks past the Knicks
NEW YORK (AP) — CJ McCollum was headed for an early summer until the Washington Wizards sent him to the Hawks in January in the trade for Trae Young. McCollum not only replaced Young in Atlanta, now he’s replaced him in Madison Square Garden. McCollum was the villain who carried the Hawks past the New York Knicks in a playoff game. The veteran guard scored 32 points Monday night to help the Hawks rally for a stunning 107-106 victory that tied the Eastern Conference first-round series at one game apiece. He was profanely taunted by the Garden fans, just as Young was in a 2021 first-round series.
Jaden McDaniels calls Nuggets ‘all bad defenders’ after Timberwolves rally to win Game 2
DENVER (AP) — Jaden McDaniels took perhaps his most notable shot after Minnesota’s 119-114 playoff win at Denver in Game 2. The Timberwolves forward pretty much labeled all the Nuggets’ players bad defenders. Thrown in there were Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. McDaniels, who had 14 points, said to “go after Jokic, Jamal, all the bad defenders. Tim Hardaway, Cam Johnson, Aaron Gordon, the whole team, just go at them.” The Timberwolves overcame a 19-point deficit to even the first-round series as its shifts to Minnesota for Game 3 on Thursday night. Anthony Edwards led the way with 30 points for the Timberwolves despite playing on a sore knee.
Victor Wembanyama is a unanimous selection as the NBA’s defensive player of the year
There had never been a unanimous NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Until now. Victor Wembanyama was announced Monday night as the league’s top defensive player. The San Antonio center was second in the voting for DPOY as a rookie. Wembanyama was the favorite last season until a medical condition ended his season prematurely, then left no doubt this year. At 22, the native of France is the youngest winner of the award. Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren was second and Detroit’s Ausar Thompson was third.
Martinook’s goal lifts Hurricanes past Senators 3-2 in 2OT after he misses rare OT penalty shot
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Jordan Martinook beat Linus Ullmark from the slot at 13:53 of the second overtime to help the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Ottawa Senators 3-2 on Monday night. That gave Carolina a 2-0 lead in their first-round series in the NHL playoffs. Nikolaj Ehlers found Martinook for the shot that beat Ullmark, who was partially shielded by Carolina captain Jordan Staal at the top of the crease. Logan Stankoven and Sebastian Aho also scored for Carolina. Drake Batherson and Dylan Cozens scored for Ottawa. Ullmark finished with 43 saves.
Kapanen’s 2nd goal of game with 1:54 remaining lifts Oilers over Ducks 4-3 in playoff opener
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Kasperi Kapanen scored his second goal of the game with 1:54 left in the third period to give the Edmonton Oilers a 4-3 victory over the Anaheim Ducks in the opener of their first-round playoff series. Jason Dickinson also scored twice for the Oilers, who trailed 3-2 entering the third. Oilers star Leon Draisaitl returned to the ice after missing the final 14 regular-season games with an injury. Draisaitl and Jake Walman each had two assists for Edmonton. Troy Terry had two goals and an assist and Leo Carlsson also scored for the Ducks, who are in the playoffs for the first time since 2018. Connor Ingram made 25 saves to earn the win. Game 2 in the best-of-seven series is Wednesday in Edmonton.
Yankees right-hander Cam Schlittler says he and his family have received threats from Red Sox fans
NEW YORK (AP) — New York Yankees right-hander Cam Schlittler says he’s looking forward to his Fenway Park debut against Boston even after revealing he and his family have received death threats from Red Sox fans. Schlittler overcame similar threats to thrive against Boston in the postseason last year. That gives him confidence before his first game at Fenway Park. Schlittler grew up a Red Sox fan in Walpole, Massachusetts. He told the New York Post that he and his family have received death threats leading up to Thursday night’s game. He says it’s not necessary to get police involved.
Aloha, PGA Tour. Hawaii will be without a tour event in 2027 for the first time in 56 years
The PGA Tour is bidding aloha to Hawaii on its schedule. The Sentry at Kapalua was canceled last January because of a water dispute that kept the Plantation course from being ready in time. Wisconsin-based Sentry has a sponsorship deal through 2035 and will be going elsewhere. One likely landing spot is Torrey Pines in San Diego. The PGA Tour has also confirmed the Sony Open in Honolulu also won’t be on the 2027 schedule. It’s part of a revamped schedule that’s slowly changing. The tour is talking to the Sony Open about being a PGA Tour Champions event next year.
Steelers are still waiting to hear from Aaron Rodgers about returning for a 22nd season
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers are still waiting for Aaron Rodgers to decide whether he wants to return for a 22nd season. Steelers general manager Omar Khan says the club remains in frequent communication with the four-time MVP, who led Pittsburgh to an AFC North title last season. Rodgers’ status is unlikely to play a significant role in the club’s strategy when the NFL draft descends on the Steel City this week. The Steelers will head into the draft with 12 picks, including the 21st overall selection in the first round.
Defending champion John Korir breaks Boston Marathon record and Sharon Lokedi also repeats
BOSTON (AP) — Defending champion John Korir broke the Boston Marathon course record, riding a tailwind to outrun the fastest field in event history and win in 2 hours, 1 minute, 52 seconds for his second straight victory. The Kenyan broke away from the pack as it headed into Heartbreak Hill in Newton and opened a 40-second lead, peeking behind him as he went through Kenmore Square with a mile to go. Sharon Lokedi joined her fellow Kenyan as a back-to-back champion, winning the women’s race in 2:18:51. Marcel Hug of Switzerland won his ninth wheelchair title in 1:16:06. Eden Rainbow-Cooper of Britain won her second women’s wheelchair title in Boston.
Draymond Green predicts Steve Kerr won’t be back. The Warriors can’t imagine life without him
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Draymond Green doesn’t expect Steve Kerr to return as coach of the Golden State Warriors. Green said on his podcast Monday that he hopes Kerr returns but “it felt like that was it” after Golden State lost at Phoenix in a play-in tournament game. Green added that he doesn’t even know if he’ll be playing for the Warriors next season. Kerr just completed a two-year contract worth $35 million. The 60-year-old has won four championships during his 12 seasons leading the Warriors. After the loss to the Suns, Kerr said he wasn’t sure whether he’d be back.