The NBA’s MVP will be announced Sunday. Gilgeous-Alexander, Wembanyama or Jokic the finalists
The NBA will reveal this season’s Most Valuable Player on Sunday, which just happens to be the day before Game 1 of the Western Conference finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs. Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the reigning MVP and he’s one of the three finalists for the award this season — along with Spurs center Victor Wembanyama and Denver’s Nikola Jokic. No matter who wins, it’ll be the eighth consecutive season in which a player who was born outside the U.S. takes the MVP trophy.
Man City faces crisis-hit Chelsea in FA Cup final at Wembley
LONDON (AP) — Manchester City takes on Chelsea in the FA Cup final at Wembley aiming to end a two-year losing streak in soccer’s oldest knockout competition. City has lost to Crystal Palace and Manchester United in the last two finals, having won it in 2023. It’s a record fourth final in a row for Pep Guardiola’s team which is in contention for a domestic trophy treble, having already won the English League Cup. City is also second in the Premier League. City faces a Chelsea team at Wembley that is in turmoil. It is relying on novice interim coach Calum McFarlane to deny Guardiola what would be his 17th major trophy at City and his 35th overall.
How much are players earning at PGA Championship? The purse goes up to $20.5M
NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. (AP) — The PGA Championship has bumped up its prize fund by $1.5 million. It’s $20.5 million this year with the winner getting $3,690,000. The PGA Championship remains the smallest purse among the three American majors. Only the British Open among majors has a smaller purse. Prize money in golf has been spiking since the launch of Saudi-funded LIV Golf in 2022. The PGA Tour now has eight signature events with $20 million purses. The U.S. Open purse was $21.5 million last year. The Masters raised its purse to $22.5 million this year.
The PGA Championship has the biggest logjam at a major in 24 years.
NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. (AP) — Alex Smalley and Maverick McNealy share the lead at the PGA Championship. It seems like everyone else shares a chance. Smalley shot 69 and McNealy had 67 as they set the pace at 4-under 136. But Aronimink has shown to be a course that doesn’t let anyone get too far away. Chris Gotterup and Hideki Matsuyama are among those one shot behind. Lurking with his big presence is Scottie Scheffler. He overcame three early bogeys to salvage a 71 and was among those only two behind. Rory McIlroy got back in the game at 67 and was five back.
Heartbreak for Hearts as Celtic crowned Scottish Premiership champion
GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) — Celtic has won the Scottish Premiership title in dramatic style with two late goals to beat rival Hearts 3-1. Daizen Maeda struck a crucial goal in the 87th minute at Celtic Park on Saturday to put Celtic on course for the win it needed to be crowned champion for the fifth year in a row. It was heartbreak for Hearts, which only needed a draw to win the title for the first time since 1960 and had led through Lawrence Shankland’s first-half header.
Austria proves too good for Britain at ice hockey worlds
ZURICH (AP) — Britain has marked its return to the ice hockey world championship with a 5-2 loss to Austria. The Austrians scored three goals in the first 10 minutes of Saturday’s game in Zurich. Britain responded with goals from David Clements and Liam Kirk but Austria extended the lead in the two-goal middle period. Peter Schneider scored twice for Austria. In Group B, Marek Hrivik lifted Slovakia to a 2-1 win over Norway. Later Saturday, Canada faces Italy in Fribourg and the Czechs play Slovenia. Host Switzerland meets Latvia in Zurich.
Mourinho receives Arbeloa’s blessing amid talk of return to Real Madrid
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Real Madrid’s Álvaro Arbeloa has given his blessing to former boss José Mourinho amid intense speculation that the Portuguese coach is set to replace him and start a second stint at the European powerhouse. Arbeloa told reporters Saturday that if Mourinho “is the one who is here next season, I will be happy to see him back home.” Arbeloa spoke like a coach who knows his days are numbered. Madrid has two more Spanish league games this season which it will finish without a major title. Mourinho is finishing his season with Benfica this weekend.
What to know about the investigation into Memphis forward Brandon Clarke’s death
Brandon Clarke’s death raised countless questions. So far, there are few answers. And it’ll probably stay that way for a while. The Memphis Grizzlies forward was found dead inside a home near Los Angeles on Monday, and a person familiar with the terms of the investigation told The Associated Press on Tuesday that drug paraphernalia was found at the residence. The 29-year-old Clarke was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders. An autopsy was performed, but the cause of death could take weeks to determine.