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New York Times
04-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Kawhi Leonard, Clippers were healthy and still couldn't get past first round. Now what?
INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Knock on wood. That has been the reaction any time the topic of health was brought up around the LA Clippers in prosperous times. After all, Tyronn Lue's first four seasons as head coach of the Clippers all ended in unfortunate injury luck. Kawhi Leonard was unable to play in the elimination game in any of them, and former co-star Paul George was unavailable in the final game of the 2022 Play-In Tournament and the entire 2023 postseason. Advertisement When the Clippers were in the middle of an eight-game winning streak to end the regular season that gave them the fifth seed in this year's playoffs, Lue was asked about having a fully healthy roster heading into the postseason. 'Yeah, it means a lot,' Lue said, tapping his knuckles repeatedly on the news conference table simultaneously. 'Just starting to play our best basketball. The season's wrapping up, our guys are healthy, in a good place, feeling good. And that's the most important thing. When you get to the playoffs, the most important thing is health.' Lue got his wish. The Clippers were healthy for the first time in years. But having a healthy James Harden and Leonard wasn't enough as the Clippers fell to the Nuggets 120-101 in Saturday's Game 7. The Clippers lost three of the last four games of the series, and Harden did not meet with the media after any of those losses. It's a surprising turn of events for a Clippers team that, a little more than a week earlier, was a minute away from a 3-1 series lead. 'It's encouraging,' Lue said after the season ended Saturday night. 'I think James having to carry such a heavy load with Kawhi missing 45 games and just having to carry that load all season long, he did a great job with that. And I think Kawhi, coming back and having the confidence in his knee that he can play more minutes, he can get through these games. And those two together for a whole season, I think, would be tremendous. So when you have your best player missing (45 games), it's kind of hard to really jell the way we wanted to. But I thought we did a good job of just sticking with it. And whatever we needed to do to win that night, they did it.' Now the inaugural season at Intuit Dome is in the books after a first-round series that reinforced the fact that the Clippers likely have a hard ceiling as long as their best players are Harden and Leonard, two aging stars who are far closer to the end of their careers than the beginning. Advertisement The Clippers won 50 games this season and were still a factor in the Western Conference, but this campaign was part of an organizational plan to bridge into what is next for the franchise. Their public statement after George left to sign a maximum contract with the Philadelphia 76ers last summer declared that much. 'We will miss Paul. At the same time, we're excited by the opportunities we've now been afforded, including greater flexibility under the new CBA. Kawhi is an All-NBA player, and we believe T. Lue is the best coach in the league. We will field a highly competitive team this season, and moving forward, use our organizational advantages to bring top talent to Intuit Dome.' As of now, though, it seems clear that the next stage, at least in the short term, will be centered around Harden and Leonard. The Clippers are below the collective bargaining agreement's first-apron threshold and intend to remain flexible with an eye toward the next two offseasons, according to league sources. The first domino toward that is what happens with Harden, who has a player option worth $36.4 million for next season. Harden will be 36 in August, and he has enjoyed his time playing in his hometown since being brought in via an October 2023 trade. 'Hopefully I'm here for some years and retire here, so I can keep moving the needle off the court,' he said in 2024. How the Clippers retain Harden is to be determined, but he is fully expected to be back in some capacity after being named an All-Star and making the playoffs for the 16th straight year. There's a history of Harden sacrificing financially; in 2022, he declined a $47.4-million player option with the 76ers and signed a two-year deal that gave him a $35.6-million player option for the 2023-24 season so Philadelphia could sign free agents like P.J. Tucker and Danuel House Jr. Advertisement This season, Harden reiterated that the chemistry the Clippers built with him as the primary facilitator should progress next year, using Most Improved Player Award runner-up Ivica Zubac as an example. 'It's only been, what, almost two years?' Harden said last month while describing Zubac's progress compared to former Rockets teammate center Clint Capela. 'What I did with Clint, it was five, six years. And Zu is way more skilled offensively than Clint, you know what I mean? But the understanding of knowing what to do, each possession, whether it's a switch, whether it's a pick-and-roll… that right there is just like, chemistry that you just need time to build. 'And next year is going to be even better, to where it's like, it's gonna be flawless.' Harden's star running mate, Leonard, just played the first season of a three-year contract extension signed in January 2024 that goes through the 2026-27 season. He began sidelined to manage the right knee inflammation that ruined not only the final run with George last postseason, but also cost Leonard an Olympic gold medal. Before the All-Star break, Leonard averaged 16.3 points in 26 minutes per game. After the All-Star break, Leonard leapt to 25 points in 35.9 minutes per game. In March, he made it clear what his objective was going into the second year of that deal. 'My goal is to be healthy at the end of the season, so I can have a good summer, not worry about doing the whole rehab process again or missing a training camp,' Leonard said after his overtime buzzer-beater to beat the Sacramento Kings on March 9. That summer came earlier than Leonard had hoped. The series against the Nuggets was an opportunity for Leonard and Harden to re-establish some dominance in the postseason after the Clippers won 18 of their last 21 regular-season games and didn't lose back-to-back games for eight weeks. That re-established dominance didn't happen. To at least begin next season, the Clippers appear to be in a place of stability with the rotation of a team that surprised many by getting to 50 wins. Zubac, Norman Powell, Derrick Jones Jr., Kris Dunn and Bogdan Bogdanović are all signed for 2025-26. Powell, the team's second-leading scorer with a career-high 21.8 points per game, who was a surprising dark-horse All-Star candidate, is entering the final year of a contract that will pay him $20.5 million in 2025-26 and turns 32 this month. But there should be no rush to do something with Powell, especially considering Harden's age and Leonard's durability concerns. Advertisement Batum is 36 years old and has a player option for $4.9 million, but he is highly valued by the Clippers and is expected to return; the Frenchman has a stated goal of passing former All-Star Peja Stojaković for second-most 3s by a European player, and Batum needs 11 more 3s to do so. The most notable free agents are Ben Simmons and Amir Coffey; Simmons' minutes faded as the Nuggets series went along after being the team's buyout market target, while Coffey was the odd man out of a nine-man rotation in the playoffs. Then there's Lue. Last May, the Clippers gave Lue a contract extension that goes through the 2029 season, and despite the early exit, relationships are strong among the brain trust of Lue, Clippers chairman Steve Ballmer and president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank. But Lue no longer has the excuse of his Clippers playoff teams never being healthy. They were, and still are, one of six teams in the West not to win a playoff series since 2021. This was the first time Lue lost a Game 7 after starting his head-coaching career 4-0 in such spots, and the second year in a row where the season ended on Lue's birthday. Lue was recently asked why anyone would want to be a head coach after Denver fired head coach Michael Malone last month and joked that the job 'pays well.' But his perspective was telling. 'It's a tough business – it's a fun business, as long as you're winning,' Lue said last month. 'Just speaking for myself, just having a great relationship with the front office with Lawrence and (general manager) Trent (Redden), and (senior vice president) Mark (Hughes), and with our owner Mr. Ballmer. That goes a long way. It still doesn't mean that they won't make the right decision. But just having that constant dialogue, talking and understanding what each side wants and what they need and just having that relationship is really good.' Advertisement Lue pushed several correct buttons this season, one of the most important being the selection of Jeff Van Gundy as the team's de facto defensive coordinator. Lue has the respect of his stars, and the Clippers admire stable organizations that don't go about replacing coaches every two years. As disappointing as this postseason result is, Lue is seen as part of the franchise's solution, not part of a problem. The Clippers might optimize the margins of the roster going into next season. Like the 2019 offseason that led to the Clippers getting Leonard in the first place, the team might look toward 2026 when it comes to identifying the next faces of the franchise. In terms of the next championship window, that's the most sensible timeframe. Under Ballmer, and with 14 consecutive winning seasons, the Clippers won't tank or blow it up, and they're not in a position to do so anyway with their draft assets depleted and their Southern California-based stars not in a position to command a high return in the trade market. The challenge for the franchise will simply be maintaining its level of competitive achievement while being ready to make the best move for the future. And for now, that means continuing to build around Harden and Leonard. 'I mean, I don't know right now,' Leonard said Saturday night when asked about growing from this season. 'I guess we stayed playing at a high level, in a sense. But yeah, it's a hard question to answer right now.' (Top photo of Kawhi Leonard: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man charged with murder of co-defendant in self-defense shooting outside Lakeland restaurant
The Brief A man has been charged with the murder of a co-defendant in a self-defense shooting outside a Lakeland restaurant on April 24. Nicholas Lue, whilst in a wheelchair after being released from the hospital, made his first appearance in Polk County court on Friday afternoon. The shooting happened just outside Calirose 15 Kitchen on April 24. LAKELAND, Fla. - The co-defendant of a man who died in a shooting that police claim was self-defense will remain in jail on no bond. Nicholas Lue, 27, of West Palm Beach was charged with 2nd Degree Murder in the death of Jesse Banks. Lue, whilst in a wheelchair after being released from the hospital, made his first appearance in Polk County court on Friday afternoon. The shooting happened just outside Calirose 15 Kitchen on April 24. PREVIOUS: Florida man arrested for second-degree murder after man shot in Lakeland self-defense shooting at restaurant The victim, a 24-year-old man, was at the restaurant to celebrate his mom's birthday. He told police he walked outside to smoke a cigarette when Lue and Banks confronted him, asking, "Where is [redacted] at?" According to Lue's arrest affidavit, Lue and Banks are gang members and the victim saw both had a gun in their waistbands. The victim told police Banks punched him in the face and knocked him backwards. READ: Powerball winner accused of kicking deputy during fight at TradeWinds Resort Someone came out of the restaurant to help the victim, but Banks then told that person, "They were going to both die tonight." Police say Banks struck that person in the face, and Lue pointed his gun at them. The victim, who was in fear for the other person's life, took out his own gun from his waistband and fired shots. Both Lue and Banks were hit, though Banks later died from his injuries at the hospital. Police say the shooting was in self-defense because Lue and Banks instigated the argument and, under Florida law, it means that Lue can be charged in Banks' death. CLICK HERE:>>>Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The Source Information for this story was gathered by FOX 13's Carla Bayron. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hernández: Clippers' James Harden showed up in Game 6. Can he do it again for Game 7 in Denver?
Clippers guard James Harden, right, celebrates with forward Nicolas Batum after his three-pointer in the fourth quarter of Game 6. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) Something unexpected happened in the Clippers' elimination game on Thursday night. James Harden actually showed up. In the Clippers' 111-105 victory over the Denver Nuggets at Intuit Dome, Harden looked nothing like the player with a reputation for stinking up arenas at this stage of the season. Advertisement He was purposeful, he was sharp, and he scored 28 points in Game 6 to extend his team's first-round playoff series to seven games. 'I know what needs to be done,' said Harden, who won his first elimination game since he played for the Houston Rockets in the NBA bubble in 2020. Read more: James Harden and Kawhi Leonard power Clippers past Nuggets to force Game 7 Game 7 will be played on Saturday at Ball Arena in Denver. The performance by Harden was a stark-contrast from his vanishing acts in the Clippers' losses in Games 4 and 5. He scored 15 points in Game 4 and just 11 in Game 5. The Nuggets had the Joker. The Clippers had the Choker. Advertisement This looked like more of the same from Harden, who scored a combined 23 points and shot just 25% last year in Games 5 and 6 defeats by the Dallas Mavericks that resulted in the Clippers' first-round exit. However, coach Tyronn Lue said he was to blame for Harden's lack of production, saying he was responsible for creating more space for Harden. 'I need to get you more involved,' Harden recalled being told by Lue on the team's flight home after a Game 5 loss in Denver. Lue's solution: To designate more minutes to a smaller lineup that included Nicolas Batum. The Clippers started the second quarter with Harden, Batum, Kawhi Leonard, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Derrick Jones Jr. Advertisement 'I wanted to get to the small lineup against their second unit,' Lue said. 'I thought we were able to push the pace, get open shots, get to the paint, kind of spread 'em out a little bit so they couldn't just load up and try to take away driving lanes. 'Going to that and seeing how good it was just to kind of space the floor was really huge for us.' Harden thrived in that second quarter, scoring 17 points. 'I thought he did a good job attacking one-on-one,' Lue said. 'Our spacing was really good tonight. He was able to get to the paint, get to the basket.' With the Nuggets mindful of Harden, openings were created for others. Norman Powell scored 11 points in the third quarter, during which they were ahead by as many as 15 points. Leonard scored nine of his 27 points in the same period. Advertisement Harden finished with a team-high eight assists. 'He's been here before,' Leonard said of Harden. 'Guys have games where they don't play well during the season. It's just another game, so I knew he was gonna be able to come back, or he was going to be aggressive and try to get to his spots.' The Clippers now have a chance. They have a chance to take down the Nuggets and advance. They have a chance to advance further than any team in franchise history. That chance, however, is contingent on Harden continuing to play like this and not reverting to his customary postseason form. Can his body hold up? Harden played 47 minutes in Game 6, marking the third time in this series he played more than 40 minutes. Advertisement He is 35 years old. 'Tired,' Harden said. 'Tired, a little bit.' Does Harden have another 47 or 48 minutes in Denver? 'Have to, have to,' Harden said. 'Whatever the team needs, 47, 48, overtime, whatever, I'll be willing to do it.' Lue didn't think fatigue would be a problem for Harden. Read more: Clippers search for answers against Nuggets in critical Game 6 'He wants to play every night,' Lue said. 'He's in great shape, trains for these moments. He wants to play.' Harden averaged more than 35 minutes over 79 regular-season games, and he thinks the workload will prepare him for a Game 7 that will be played 5,280 feet above sea level. Advertisement 'Prepares your body physically to be able to withstand and just being able to play both ends of the ball,' Harden said. 'Your legs are tired, so you've been there before. For me, it's just finding my spots.' The simple objective could produce monumental changes in reputation — not only for Harden personally but for the Clippers as well. Sign up for the L.A. Times SoCal high school sports newsletter to get scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
Clippers' James Harden showed up in Game 6. Can he do it again for Game 7 in Denver?
Something unexpected happened in the Clippers' elimination game on Thursday night. James Harden actually showed up. In the Clippers' 111-105 victory over the Denver Nuggets at Intuit Dome, Harden looked nothing like the player with a reputation for stinking up arenas at this stage of the season. He was purposeful, he was sharp, and he scored 28 points in Game 6 to extend his team's first-round playoff series to seven games. 'I know what needs to be done,' said Harden, who won his first elimination game since he played for the Houston Rockets in the NBA bubble in 2020. Game 7 will be played on Saturday at Ball Arena in Denver. The performance by Harden was a stark-contrast from his vanishing acts in the Clippers' losses in Games 4 and 5. He scored 15 points in Game 4 and just 11 in Game 5. The Nuggets had the Joker. The Clippers had the Choker. This looked like more of the same from Harden, who scored a combined 23 points and shot just 25% last year in Games 5 and 6 defeats by the Dallas Mavericks that resulted in the Clippers' first-round exit. However, coach Tyronn Lue said he was to blame for Harden's lack of production, saying he was responsible for creating more space for Harden. 'I need to get you more involved,' Harden recalled being told by Lue on the team's flight home after a Game 5 loss in Denver. Lue's solution: To designate more minutes to a smaller lineup that included Nicolas Batum. The Clippers started the second quarter with Harden, Batum, Kawhi Leonard, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Derrick Jones Jr. 'I wanted to get to the small lineup against their second unit,' Lue said. 'I thought we were able to push the pace, get open shots, get to the paint, kind of spread 'em out a little bit so they couldn't just load up and try to take away driving lanes. 'Going to that and seeing how good it was just to kind of space the floor was really huge for us.' Harden thrived in that second quarter, scoring 17 points. 'I thought he did a good job attacking one-on-one,' Lue said. 'Our spacing was really good tonight. He was able to get to the paint, get to the basket.' With the Nuggets mindful of Harden, openings were created for others. Norman Powell scored 11 points in the third quarter, during which they were ahead by as many as 15 points. Leonard scored nine of his 27 points in the same period. Harden finished with a team-high eight assists. 'He's been here before,' Leonard said of Harden. 'Guys have games where they don't play well during the season. It's just another game, so I knew he was gonna be able to come back, or he was going to be aggressive and try to get to his spots.' The Clippers now have a chance. They have a chance to take down the Nuggets and advance. They have a chance to advance further than any team in franchise history. That chance, however, is contingent on Harden continuing to play like this and not reverting to his customary postseason form. Can his body hold up? Harden played 47 minutes in Game 6, marking the third time in this series he played more than 40 minutes. He is 35 years old. 'Tired,' Harden said. 'Tired, a little bit.' Does Harden have another 47 or 48 minutes in Denver? 'Have to, have to,' Harden said. 'Whatever the team needs, 47, 48, overtime, whatever, I'll be willing to do it.' Lue didn't think fatigue would be a problem for Harden. 'He wants to play every night,' Lue said. 'He's in great shape, trains for these moments. He wants to play.' Harden averaged more than 35 minutes over 79 regular-season games, and he thinks the workload will prepare him for a Game 7 that will be played 5,280 feet above sea level. 'Prepares your body physically to be able to withstand and just being able to play both ends of the ball,' Harden said. 'Your legs are tired, so you've been there before. For me, it's just finding my spots.' The simple objective could produce monumental changes in reputation — not only for Harden personally but for the Clippers as well.
Los Angeles Times
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
The Sports Report: Clippers force Game 7; Kings go home
Howdy, I'm your host, Houston Mitchell. Let's get right to the news. From Broderick Turner: Tyronn Lue made sure to call every player, a move the Clippers coach said was necessary to check the 'temperature' of his team before its biggest game of the season. Lue refused to text his players in a group message because he wanted to 'hear their voices' and encourage them before playing in a win-or-go-home Game 6 against the Denver Nuggets. His players responded and delivered in a 111-105 win at the Intuit Dome on Thursday night. 'Got a great temperature,' Lue said. 'Took a lot of temperatures in the last 36 hours.' Lue's two stars are reticent, but James Harden and Kawhi Leonard spoke volumes with their play in forcing a Game 7 in Denver on Saturday night. Harden had 28 points, eight assists and six rebounds. He played 46 minutes 35 seconds after being criticized for his subpar play in Games 4 and 5. Harden said he was 'tired a little bit' but didn't see the criticism 'at all.' 'Tonight the game plan was more for me to be in attack mode and making sure our spacing was right,' Harden said. 'And as a result, you know, I'll be aggressive.' Continue reading here Clippers box score From Bill Plaschke: Once again, excitement became embarrassment. Once again, a promise was broken. Once again, the Lakers weren't fast enough or skilled enough or deep enough or strong enough. Once again, blowing up in the first round of the playoffs for the third time in five years, the Lakers just weren't good enough. But it's rarely felt this bad. Rarely has Arena been as quiet during a playoff game as it was Wednesday in the final minute of a 103-96 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. With 39 seconds left, fans silently filled the aisles and literally turned their back on their beloved Lakers, who historically dropped this series four games to one. Historically, because it was the first time the Lakers lost a first-round series as a No. 3 or higher seed. No, they never folded this dramatically. 'Disappointment,' LeBron James said. 'Unfulfillment.' Continue reading here Lakers moving forward: What we learned from the exit interviews LeBron James' future: What's next for the Lakers star? All Times Pacific First roundWestern Conference No. 3 Lakers vs. No. 6 MinnesotaMinnesota 117, at Lakers 95 (box score)at Lakers 94, Minnesota 85 (box score)at Minnesota 116, Lakers 104 (box score)at Minnesota 116, Lakers 113 (box score)Minnesota 103, at Lakers 96 (box score) No. 4 Denver vs. No. 5 Clippersat Denver 112, Clippers 110 (OT) (box score)Clippers 105, at Denver 102 (box score)at Clippers 117, Denver 83 (box score)Denver 101, at Clippers 99 (box score)at Denver 131, Clippers 115 (box score)at Clippers 111, Denver 105 (box score)Saturday at Denver, 4:30 p.m., TNT No. 1 Oklahoma City vs. No. 8 Memphisat Oklahoma City 131, Memphis 80 (box score)at Oklahoma City 118, Memphis 99 (box score)Oklahoma City 114, at Memphis 108 (box score)Oklahoma City 117, at Memphis 115 (box score) No. 2 Houston vs. No. 7 Golden StateGolden State 95, at Houston 85 (box score)at Houston 109, Golden State 94 (box score)at Golden State 104, Houston 93 (box score)at Golden State 109, Houston 106 (box score)at Houston 131, Golden State 116 (box score)Friday at Golden State, 6 p.m., ESPNSunday at Houston, 5:30 p.m, TNT* Eastern ConferenceNo. 1 Cleveland vs. No. 8 Miamiat Cleveland 121, Miami 100 (box score)at Cleveland 121, Miami 112 (box score)Cleveland 124, at Miami 87 (box score)Cleveland 138, at Miami 83 (box score) No. 2 Boston vs. No. 7 Orlandoat Boston 103, Orlando 86 (box score)at Boston 109, Orlando 100 (box score)at Orlando 95, Boston 93 (box score)Boston 107, at Orlando 98 (box score)at Boston 120, Orlando 89 (box score) No. 3 New York vs. No. 6 Detroitat New York 123, Detroit 112 (box score)Detroit 100, at New York 94 (box score) New York 118, at Detroit 116 (box score)New York 94, at Detroit 93 (box score)Detroit 106, at New York 103 (box score)New York 116, at Detroit 113 (box score) No. 4 Indiana vs. No. 5 Milwaukeeat Indiana 117, Milwaukee 98 (box score)at Indiana 123, Milwaukee 115 (box score)at Milwaukee 117, Indiana 101 (box score)Indiana 129, at Milwaukee 103 (box score)at Indiana 119, Milwaukee 118 (OT) (box score) * if necessary From Jack Harris: The celebration was simple. But the relief was immense. In the bottom of the second inning Wednesday afternoon, on the last day of what had been a torturous opening month to the season,Max Muncy finally did the thing that had eluded him over an ice-cold start. After 29 forgettable games and 90 infuriating at-bats, the 10th-year veteran finally hit his first home run. With a lightning-quick swing on a down-and-away, 92-mph sinker from Miami Marlins right-hander Cal Quantrill, Muncy put a long-awaited end to his longest home run drought — and some much-needed life into his slumping start. And though Muncy did little more than pound a closed fist into his open palm as he trotted around the bases for the first time, it allowed him to finally release the emotional tensions that had been building on the inside. 'Felt really good to have that happen,' Muncy told reporters from his clubhouse locker afterward, finally allowing himself to smile after a season-best game in which he also tripled and drew a walk. 'Just hope today is something to build on,' he added. 'It's been a rough month.' Continue reading here Proposed Dodger Stadium gondola project hits roadblock with California's court of appeals Mike Trout is headed to the injured list as the Angels stumbled to their sixth straight loss. Dillon Dingler capped a five-run eighth inning with a three-run homer, Javier Báez and Gleyber Torres each hit a solo shot in the third, and the Detroit Tigers rallied for a 10-4 win Thursday night. Spencer Torkelson added a two-run homer — his ninth of the season — in a three-run ninth as Detroit improved to an American League-best 20-12. Tigers starter Casey Mize (5-1) gave up four runs and seven hits in seven innings, including Logan O'Hoppe's solo homer in the second and Jorge Soler's two-run shot in the third. Trout did not play after being pulled from Wednesday's game in Seattle because of left knee soreness. Trout, who had two operations to repair a torn meniscus in the knee last season, was injured when his foot hit first base on a third-inning groundout. Washington later said Trout has a bone bruise in the knee and would go on the 10-day IL. Washington said the injury 'is not serious' but that Trout 'needs some rest.' Continue reading here Angels box score MLB scores MLB standings From John Cherwa: Rodriguez, the Wood Memorial winner who was considered trainer Bob Baffert's best horse in this year's Kentucky Derby, scratched out of the race on Thursday after a sensitive foot bruise was discovered on the 3-year-old colt. He is expected to recover quickly and will be pointed to the Preakness States in two weeks. 'The horse is by all measures healthy and well,' Tom Ryan, who heads Rodriguez's ownership group, said. 'I guess we look on the bright side and know we can now target him for the Preakness. 'Of all the possible setbacks, this is the one we can live with.' Ryan said the sensitivity was discovered a couple days ago and 'out of an abundance of caution' the owners and Baffert thought a scratch was the right thing to do. Continue reading here From Kevin Baxter: For the fourth time in as many years, the Kings' season came to an end with a first-round playoff loss to the Edmonton Oilers. The coup de grace came Thursday in a 6-4 Oilers' win at a raucous Rogers Place, which has become a house of horrors for the Kings. Edmonton got goals from (take a deep breath) Adam Henrique, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Zach Hyman, Darnell Nurse, Trent Frederic and Connor Brown. For the Kings, Quinton Byfield, Brandt Clarke, Jordan Spence and Anze Kopitar scored. The Kings haven't beaten the Oilers in the postseason since 1989, but this year's loss may be the most painful of the nine playoff series they've dropped to Edmonton. The Kings tied franchise bests for wins (48) and points (105) this season and won a team-record 31 times at home during the regular season, finishing ahead of the Oilers in the Pacific Division standings for the first time in seven years. They seemed primed for a long run in the postseason but once again, they couldn't get by Edmonton. 'Having the season that we had, the group of guys in this locker room, to come up short again, it sucks. It's frustrating,' said Kopitar, the team captain. 'This one, this one hurts a little more. 'Having home ice and getting off to a good start with the first two games, winning the first two games. And then just not able to close games out. It cost us ' Continue reading here All times PacificFirst round Western ConferencePacific 3 Edmonton vs. Pacific 2 Kingsat Kings 6, Edmonton 5 (summary)at Kings 6, Edmonton 2 (summary)at Edmonton 7, Kings 4 (summary)at Edmonton 4, Kings 3 (OT) (summary)Edmonton 3, at Kings 1 (summary)at Edmonton 6, Kings 4 (summary) Wild-card 2 St. Louis vs. Central 1 Winnipegat Winnipeg 5, St. Louis 3 (summary)Winnipeg 2, St. Louis 1 (summary)at St. Louis 7, Winnipeg 2 (summary)at St. Louis 5, Winnipeg 1 (summary)at Winnipeg 5, St. Louis 3 (summary)Friday at St. Louis, 5 p.m., TNTSunday at Winnipeg, TBD* Central 3 Colorado vs. Central 2 DallasColorado 5, at Dallas 1 (summary)at Dallas 4, Colorado 3 (summary)Dallas 2, at Colorado 1 (OT) (summary)at Colorado 4, Dallas 0 (summary)at Dallas 6, Colorado 2 (summary)Thursday at Colorado (summary)Saturday at Dallas, TBD* Wild-card 1 Minnesota vs. Pacific 1 Vegasat Vegas 4, Minnesota 2 (summary)Minnesota 5, at Vegas 2 (summary)at Minnesota 5, Vegas 2 (summary)Vegas 4, at Minnesota 3 (OT) (summary)at Vegas 3, Minnesota 2 (OT) (summary)Vegas 3, at Minnesota 2 (summary) Eastern Conference Wild-card 2 Ottawa vs. Atlantic 1 Torontoat Toronto 6, Ottawa 2 (summary)at Toronto 3, Ottawa 2 (summary)Toronto 3, at Ottawa 2 (OT) (summary)at Ottawa 4, Toronto 3 (OT) (summary)Ottawa 4, at Toronto 0 (summary)Toronto 4, at Ottawa 2 (summary) Atlantic 3 Florida vs. Atlantic 2 Tampa BayFlorida 6, at Tampa Bay 2 (summary)Florida 2, at Tampa Bay 0 (summary)Tampa Bay 5, at Florida 1 (summary)at Florida 4, Tampa Bay 2 (summary)Florida 6, at Tampa Bay 3 (summary) Wild-card 2 Montreal vs. Metropolitan 1 Washingtonat Washington 3, Montreal 2 (OT) (summary)at Washington 3, Montreal 1 (summary)at Montreal 6, Washington 3 (summary)Washington 5, at Montreal 2 (summary)at Washington 4, Montreal 1 (summary) Metropolitan 3 New Jersey vs. Metropolitan 2 Carolinaat Carolina 4, New Jersey 1 (summary)at Carolina 3, New Jersey 1 (summary)at New Jersey 3, Carolina 2 (2 OT) (summary)Carolina 5, at New Jersey 2 (summary)at Carolina 5, New Jersey 4 (2 OT) (summary) * If necessary 1920 — Legendary slugger Babe Ruth hits his first HR for the New York Yankees. 1920 — Joe Oeschger of the Boston Braves and Leon Cadore of the Brooklyn Dodgers both pitch 26 innings in a 1-1 tie, the longest game in major league history. 1926 — Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Satchel Paige (19) debuts in the Negro Southern League. 1943 — Count Fleet, ridden by Johnny Longden, wins the Kentucky Derby by three lengths over Blue Swords. 1948 — Citation, ridden by Eddie Arcaro, wins the Kentucky Derby by 3½ lengths over Coaltown. It's Citation's toughest race in winning the Triple Crown. 1951 — Future Baseball Hall of Fame slugger Mickey Mantle hits first career home run. 1954 — 80th Kentucky Derby: Raymond York wins aboard Determine, his only Derby success. 1955 — American golfer Babe Didrikson-Zaharias wins the Peach Blossom LPGA Tournament in Spartanburg, South Carolina, her final victory before her death the following year. 1959 — Floyd Patterson scores 11th round KO of Englishman Brian London in Indianapolis; his 4th World Heavyweight Boxing title defence. 1965 — The Montreal Canadiens beat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-0 in Game 7 to capture the Stanley Cup. 1965 — 91st Kentucky Derby: Bill Shoemaker wins aboard Lucky Debonair, the third of his 4 Derby victories. 1969 — Leonard Tose buys NFL Philadelphia Eagles for a pro sports record $16.15m. 1976 — 102nd Kentucky Derby: Puerto Rican jockey Ángel Cordero Jr. wins aboard Bold Forbes, the second of 3 Derby successes. 1981 — Tennis player Billie Jean King acknowledges a lesbian relationship with Marilyn Barnett, becoming first prominent sportswoman to come out. 1982 — Gato del Sol, ridden by Ed Delahoussaye, comes from last place in a field of 19 to win the Kentucky Derby. Gato del Sol, finishes 2 1/2 lengths ahead of Laser Light, who beat Reinvested by a neck for second. He finishes in 2:02 2/5 and returns $44.40 for a $2 bet. Air Forbes Won, the 5-2 favorite of the crow of 141,009, finishes seventh. 1984 — NFL Draft: Nebraska wide receiver Irving Fryar first pick by New England Patriots. 1988 — After scoring 50 points in Game 1, NBA Eastern Conference playoff series, Michael Jordan has 55 in Chicago Bulls 106-101 win vs Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2; first to score 50+ points in consecutive playoff games. 1991 — Nolan Ryan pitches his seventh no-hitter in a 3-0 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. Ryan faces 29 batters, striking out 16 and walking two. 1991 — Rickey Henderson of the Oakland Athletics sets a major league record by stealing his 939th base, eclipsing Lou Brock's career mark. 1992 — The Pittsburgh Penguins become the 11th NHL team to rebound from a 3-1 deficit and win a playoff series after beating the Washington Capitals 3-1. 1992 — Rickey Henderson, baseball's career stolen base leader, steals his 1,000th base in the first inning of Oakland's 7-6 win over Detroit. 1993 — Bruce Baumgartner wins his 11th straight national wrestling title by beating Joel Greenlee 6-0 in the 286-pound freestyle division at the U.S. championships in Las Vegas. 2002 — Padres closer Trevor Hoffman sets MLB record for saves for one team (321) in 4-3 win v Chicago Cubs in San Diego. 2003 — The three-time defending champion Lakers beat Minnesota 101-85 to win the series 4-2. It's the 13th straight playoff series won under Phil Jackson, and Jackson-coached teams have an NBA-record 25 consecutive series wins. 2004 — Smarty Jones splashes his way past Lion Heart in the stretch to win the Kentucky Derby. Smarty Jones runs his record to 7 for 7 and becomes the first unbeaten Derby winner since Seattle Slew in 1977. 2005 — 17-year old Lionel Messi scores his 1st senior league goal for FC Barcelona in 2-0 win against Albacete Balompié, at the Spotify Camp Nou in Barcelona. 2006 — Detroit, winner of the President's Trophy by leading the league in points (124) this season, is eliminated in the first round for the third time in five postseasons after a 4-3 loss to Edmonton in Game 6. 2010 — Jockey Calvin Borel steers Super Saver through the mud to win his third Kentucky Derby in four years, beating Lookin At Lucky by 2 1/2 lengths. The win ends trainer Todd Pletcher's Derby drought. Pletcher, who had four horses in the race, came into the race 0 for 24 since 2000. 2019 — Argentine forward Lionel Messi scores twice for his 600th goal for FC Barcelona in a 3-0 home win over Liverpool in a Champions League semifinal. Compiled by the Associated Press
