Aces star, WNBA legend Candace Parker announces retirement after 16-year career (2024)

The Phoenix Suns thought they had built a formidable superteam during the offseason by adding three-time All-Star Bradley Beal to form a star-studded trio with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. It looked great on paper. It added up to exactly zero playoff wins. The Suns were knocked out of the playoffs Sunday night after a 122-116 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, despite a 49-point effort from Booker and 33 points from Durant. The four-game sweep was a gut punch for a team that entered the season with championship aspirations. Now the Suns have to decide whether to blow up the roster or run it back.

The New York Liberty know how tough it is to put together a talented roster, have players jell in their first year together and win a title. They fell just short last year, losing to the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA Finals. As training camp opened Sunday, New York's starting five from last season was healthy and practicing. That didn’t happen in camp last year. Chemistry is one of the keys to winning a title. The Aces have won two straight titles with their core of A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray. The team enjoys spending time together on and off the court and have camaraderie.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are off to the second round of the NBA playoffs for the first time in 20 years. Their first-round sweep of the Phoenix Suns served notice they might be ready to go even deeper in the bracket. Anthony Edwards scored 40 points, Karl-Anthony Towns added 28 and the Timberwolves pulled away late to beat the Suns 122-116 on Sunday night and sweep the first-round series. The win came after coach Chris Finch left late in the fourth after an inadvertent collision with Wolves guard Mike Conley. The team said he had a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee.

Mike Trout has been healthy this year and is leading the major leagues in home runs. So far, that hasn’t been enough to help the Los Angeles Angels withstand Shohei Ohtani’s departure. Trout finally looks like his old self again. He hasn't missed a game this season and leads the majors with 10 home runs. His power and availability are good signs, but with Ohtani now playing for the Dodgers, even a healthy Trout might not be enough to keep the Angels relevant. They are eight games under .500.

The New York Rangers outmatched the Washington Capitals in nearly every possible way to move on to the second round of the NHL playoffs in dominant fashion. The Rangers swept the Capitals thanks to advantages in talent from the net out, superior special teams and a blend of depth and balance that makes them look every bit like a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. Ten players scored and 14 registered points for New York in its first four games. The Carolina Hurricanes leading their series against the New York Islanders 3-1 look like a formidable challenge in the second round.

Just call him Xabi Houdini. Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso has seen his team pull off several scarcely believable escapes from defeat this season as it remains unbeaten across all competitions. Bundesliga champion Leverkusen is on a 46-game run without a loss. It's a record across Europe’s “big five” leagues and has been achieved in extraordinary fashion. Robert Andrich scored with the last kick of the game for a 2-2 draw with high-flying Stuttgart on Saturday. Josip Stanišić scored in the seventh minute of stoppage time for a 1-1 draw at Borussia Dortmund in its previous match, and Amine Adli scored in the 90th minute for a 1-1 draw at West Ham in the Europa League before that.

Top British gymnast Ondine Achampong says she feels “devastated” after suffering an ACL tear that should rule her out of competing at the Paris Olympics. The 20-year-old Achampong, who was part of the British women’s team that took silver at the world championships in 2022, posted on message on social media Monday saying she sustained the injury during a competition ahead of the European championships. Recovery from a torn ACL can take up to a year. Artistic gymnastics at the Paris Olympics start on July 27. Achampong recently won four gold medals at the British championships.

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — The rain and the cold couldn’t dampen the demeanor of Deion Sanders. The cowboy hat-wearing coach of the Colorado Buffaloes was in a feel-good after the spring game Saturday at Folsom Field. Before the game, he awarded a scholarship to a hard-working running back. Befor…

ARLINGTON, Texas — Trevor Hoffman once learned a different type of changeup grip from San Diego Padres teammate Donnie Elliot in 1994.

The Vancouver Canucks host the Nashville Predators in the first round of the NHL Playoffs with a 3-1 lead in the series.

The Florida Panthers host the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the NHL Playoffs with a 3-1 lead in the series.

The Colorado Avalanche look to clinch the first round of the NHL Playoffs over the Winnipeg Jets in game five.

The Boston Bruins host the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the NHL Playoffs with a 3-1 lead in the series.

The Vegas Golden Knights host the Dallas Stars in the first round of the NHL Playoffs with a 2-1 lead in the series.

The Carolina Hurricanes host the New York Islanders in the first round of the NHL Playoffs with a 3-1 lead in the series.

In their effort to persuade politicians and the public that government support for a new domed stadium development on the city’s lakefront would be a sound investment, the Chicago Bears repeatedly tried to stress that taxpayers would not carry an overwhelming weight of the costs.

For the first time in program history, Kentucky football has had a quarterback selected in back-to-back NFL drafts.

PHILADELPHIA — Cooper DeJean wanted to play quarterback in college.

The Oakland Athletics begin a three-game series at home against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday.

The Washington Nationals visit the Miami Marlins trying to prolong a four-game road winning streak.

The New York Yankees play the Baltimore Orioles after Anthony Rizzo had four hits on Sunday in a 15-5 win over the Brewers.

The Detroit Tigers begin a three-game series at home against the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday.

The Arizona Diamondbacks host the Los Angeles Dodgers to open a three-game series.

The Toronto Blue Jays host the Kansas City Royals to begin a three-game series.

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — The rain and the cold couldn’t dampen the demeanor of Deion Sanders. The cowboy hat-wearing coach of the Colorado Buffaloes was in a feel-good after the spring game Saturday at Folsom Field. Before the game, he awarded a scholarship to a hard-working running back. Befor…

UNDATED (AP) — The Southeastern Conference’s four top 10 teams in last season’s final AP Top 25 all return established starting quarterbacks. Beyond that top group, there’s plenty of competition and new starters — either via the transfer portal or backups moving into the top job. At least se…

BEREA, Ohio (AP) — The Cleveland Browns selected two players in the NFL draft forever connected by a horrific injury. In Friday’s third round, the team picked Michigan guard Zak Zinter, who broke his left leg against Ohio State on Nov. 25 when Buckeyes defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr., take…

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Bills elected not to trade back in the NFL draft order for a third time, and addressed their most significant need by selecting Florida State receiver Keon Coleman to open the second round. The 20-year-old Coleman brings size and adept catching ability t…

The historic Versailles Palace Gardens will soon host the Paris Olympics equestrian sports. Meanwhile, the select number of riders of the National Equestrian Academy handling the palace’s famed royal stables continue to care for their beloved horses. The elite academy — founded by French horse trainer and impresario Bartabas who decided to revive the splendid building in 2003 — has only 12 riders. After years of hard work, they take part in a prestigious show at the Great Stables of Versailles every weekend to the delight of spectators. Though not participating in the games, they look forward to seeing Olympic riders galloping in the Versailles gardens.

THROUGH APRIL 27

INCLUDES GAMES OF SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2024

Stuart Skinner stopped 33 shots for his first postseason shutout, Evan Bouchard scored on the power play midway through the second period and the Edmonton Oilers beat the Los Angeles Kings 1-0 in Game 4 to move a win away from advancing. Skinner is the eighth goalie in franchise history to record a postseason shutout and the first since Mike Smith had two in the first round against the Kings two years ago. The Oilers scored on their lone power-play opportunity and are 8 of 15 for the series. Los Angeles is the only team in the postseason that hasn’t scored on the power play.

All Times EDT

All Times EDT

All Times EDT

The Orlando Magic visit the Cleveland Cavaliers for game five of the Eastern Conference first round with the series tied 2-2. The teams meet for the ninth time this season. Cleveland is 31-21 against the Eastern Conference, and Orlando is 32-20 against conference opponents.

The Indiana Pacers look to clinch the Eastern Conference first round over the Milwaukee Bucks in game five. The teams meet for the 10th time this season. Milwaukee is 10-7 against the Central Division, and Indiana is 11-6 against division opponents.

The New York Knicks look to clinch the Eastern Conference first round over the Philadelphia 76ers in game five. The teams meet for the ninth time this season. New York is 12-5 against the Atlantic Division, and Philadelphia is 8-8 against division opponents.

The Kings needed a change in fortune Sunday, so they made a change in goal.

DENVER (AP) — Valeri Nichushkin recorded his first career hat trick, Alexandar Georgiev turned in another strong showing and the Avalanche beat the Winnipeg Jets 5-1 in Game 4 on Sunday to move a win away from advancing.