The NBA Finals are back in New York, and everyone seems caught up in the hoopla except the Knicks
NEW YORK (AP) – Madison Square Garden has seen just about everything in sports and entertainment, from the first Muhammad Ali-Joe Frazier fight to the first Wrestlemania. It just hasn’t seen much of the NBA Finals. The New York Knicks have brought the finals back to their home court for the first time since 1999. Fans are spending astonishingly high prices for tickets and the potential to witness a celebration more than five decades in the making. With a 2-0 lead over Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs, the Knicks are halfway to their first championship since 1973. Game 3 is Monday, with President Donald Trump in the crowd.
No watch party at Madison Square Garden with Trump attending Game 3 of the NBA Finals
NEW YORK (AP) – Police scuttled an NBA Finals watch party near Madison Square Garden and the New York Knicks warned fans to get to Monday’s matchup at least two hours early as part of enhanced security measures with President Donald Trump attending the game. Trump is a longtime Knicks fan who confirmed Friday that he would attend the first NBA Finals game in New York since 1999. Part of the fallout from Trump’s visit was the cancellation of a Game 3 watch party outside MSG. The NYPD said the decision was made in coordination with the Secret Service. Also, the Knicks are warning fans to bring as little as possible to Game 3 and encouraging them to arrive early as part of enhanced security measures with Trump attending the game.
Carolina trails Vegas in the Stanley Cup Final and has a big decision to make for Game 4
The Carolina Hurricanes find themselves at a potential crossroads in the Stanley Cup Final. They fell behind by four goals in Game 3 at the Vegas Golden Knights, changed goaltenders and still lost in double overtime to trail 2-1 in the best-of-seven series. After a bunch of blown leads by either team and momentum swings both ways, who starts in net for Carolina between Frederik Andersen and Brandon Bussi is a lingering question, along with who can take control of a matchup of NHL powerhouses that has become wacky through three games.
FIFA and Infantino draw bipartisan skepticism ahead of the World Cup
WASHINGTON (AP) – FIFA President Gianni Infantino recently addressed U.S. city leaders, joking about soccer “conquering” America as the World Cup approaches. Infantino’s relationship with President Donald Trump is strong, but skepticism about FIFA spans political lines. Many leaders criticize FIFA for corruption and elitism. The World Cup is being co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico and Canada and starts this week. The tournament coincides with the Republican president’s efforts to enhance his image through sports events. The 48-team tournament also highlights America’s political divide, with differing views on immigration and national pride. Despite tensions, some Americans hope the event will unite people across political and cultural lines. FIFA hasn’t responded to a request for comment.
Eriksen ‘doing well’ and expected to leave the hospital after on-field collapse, Denmark team says
ODENSE, Denmark (AP) – Denmark’s national team physician says Christian Eriksen is “in good spirits” and expected to leave the hospital soon after collapsing on the field again. The 34-year-old Eriksen clutched his chest with both hands before dropping to the ground in the 65th minute of Denmark’s international friendly against Ukraine in Odense, Denmark, on Sunday. The Danish soccer federation said the midfielder walked off the field by himself after being attended by medical staff and underwent more tests at a hospital. In an statement from the federation, team physician Morten Boesen says: “I spoke with Christian this morning, and he is doing well.” Boesen says Eriksen “is with his family and is in good spirits. The expectation is that he will be discharged soon and can return home.”
Nelly Korda wins U.S. Women’s Open title with perilous final putt, claiming her 2nd straight major
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Nelly Korda won the 81st U.S. Women’s Open for her second consecutive major victory. She held off Charley Hull and Gaby Lopez by one shot when her final 2 1/2-foot par putt curled perilously around the cup and finally dropped in. Korda’s first U.S. Open win is the fourth major victory of her career, and she claimed it with a steady 2-under 69 in the final round. But only after her last putt caught the left edge and toured half the circumference of the hole before dropping. Korda made a 9-foot birdie putt on the 17th.
J.T. Poston loses a 4-shot lead and comes up clutch to win Memorial in a playoff
DUBLIN, Ohio (AP) – J.T. Poston has won the Memorial, just not the way anyone would have imagined. Poston returned Sunday morning to complete the third round and built a four-shot lead. But that was gone on the turn and it turned into a mad scramble. Poston made a 7-foot birdie putt on the final hole for a 72 to force a playoff with Ryan Gerard. He won on the second extra hole when Gerard three-putted from some 55 feet. Gerard was mistake-free most of the day until missing a 6-foot par putt. The victory gives Poston a spot in the next three majors.
Denny Hamlin dedicates NASCAR victory at Michigan to Kyle Busch after tying him on career win list
BROOKLYN, Mich. (AP) – Denny Hamlin went from the rear to first again Sunday, winning at Michigan International Speedway to earn his second consecutive NASCAR Cup Series victory from the pole position. Just like last week’s win at Nashville Superspeedway when the Joe Gibbs Racing car was penalized for jumping the start, Hamlin qualified first at Michigan but dropped to the back at the green flag because of a penalty for unapproved adjustments to his No. 11 Toyota. He took the lead for good on a three-wide pass during a restart with 38 laps remaining, sweeping into first around Daniel Suarez and Carson Hocevar.
From Ben Stiller to Fat Joe, the Knicks’ celebrity fans get to work at NBA Finals practice
NEW YORK (AP) – Mike Brown thought he was finished with his news conference Sunday when a voice called out from the back of the interview room. Fat Joe wanted the mic. The rapper gave the New York Knicks coach some grief about the kind of sneakers he wears, then asked for an autographed pair if they win the championship, as the team’s celebrity fans got into the action during a practice day at the NBA Finals. Actor Ben Stiller also was at Madison Square Garden, taking video and meeting the coach for the first time. Fat Joe said the Knicks’ first trip to the NBA Finals since 1999 has united the city.
Stacey King, longtime Bulls broadcaster who played on three NBA championship teams, dies at 59
CHICAGO (AP) – Stacey King, who played on three consecutive NBA championship teams with the Chicago Bulls from 1991-93 before returning to the organization as an Emmy-winning broadcaster, has died. He was 59. The Bulls announced that King died Sunday and said a family member had notified them. No other details were immediately available. King played from 1989-97 during an NBA career that also included stops in Minnesota, Miami, Boston and Dallas. He later spent over two decades as a commentator on Bulls games and delighted fans with his memorable calls and nicknames.
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