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Thunder to host Nuggets in Game 7 of Western Conference semifinals

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder are set to host Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals. The Thunder, who won a league-best 68 games in the regular season, can validate that success with a victory. Oklahoma City lost to Dallas in the conference semifinals last year as the top seed and doesn’t want a repeat. The Thunder face a Denver squad that won the championship in 2023 and beat the Los Angeles Clippers in seven games in the first round this year. The winner plays Minnesota in the Western Conference finals.

Phillies closer José Alvarado suspended for 80 games for positive drug test

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia Phillies closer José Alvarado has been suspended for 80 games following a positive test for external testosterone under Major League Baseball’s drug-testing program. Alvarado became the second player suspended this year under the big league testing program after Atlanta outfielder Jurickson Profar. Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said the positive test was caused by a weight loss drug Alvarado took during the offseason. Barring rainouts that push games into later this season, Alvarado would be eligible to return on Aug. 19 against Seattle. Because of the suspension, he would be ineligible for the postseason.

Harley scores on OT power play, Stars beat Jets 2-1 to reach 3rd straight West final

DALLAS (AP) — Thomas Harley scored on a power play 1:33 into overtime and the Dallas Stars advanced to the Western Conference final for the third season in a row, beating the top-seeded Winnipeg Jets 2-1 in Game 6 on Saturday night. Mark Scheifele scored for the Jets hours after the unexpected death of his father, but also had the tripping penalty with 14.8 seconds left in regulation that set up Dallas to start overtime with a man advantage. Sam Steel, who had scored earlier for Dallas, was on a break when Scheifele lunged forward desperately trying to make a play when he tripped up the forward at the blue line. The Stars move on to face Edmonton in the West final.

Jets’ Scheifele has goal and crucial penalty in Game 6 at Dallas after his father’s unexpected death

DALLAS (AP) — Winnipeg top center Mark Scheifele scored a goal in the Jets’ must-win Game 6 of the second-round of the playoffs in Dallas after the unexpected death of his father. But he also had the penalty that led to the Stars’ power-play goal in overtime for a 2-1 victory that ended the series. Brad Scheifele died overnight, hours before Saturday night’s game. Mark Scheifele scored 5 1/2 minutes into the second period for a 1-0 lead. But his tripping penalty on a breaking Sam Steel with 14.8 seconds left in regulation gave Dallas its only power play, and Thomas Harley scored 1:33 into overtime.

Alcaraz beats Sinner again to win the Italian Open and solidify his status as French Open favorite

ROME (AP) — There’s only one player who is consistently beating Jannik Sinner. Carlos Alcaraz defeated the top-ranked Sinner 7-6 (5), 6-1 on Sunday to win the Italian Open and add another big clay-court title to his resume. Alcaraz is the only player to beat Sinner more than once since the start of last year and now he’s done it four straight times. Alcaraz’s victory before Sinner’s home fans at the Foro Italico snapped the Italian’s 26-match winning streak. It was Sinner’s first tournament back after a three-month doping ban. Alcaraz also solidified his status as the favorite to defend his title at the French Open. Roland Garros starts next Sunday.

Kershaw exits after 4 shaky innings in rusty season debut for Dodgers

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Clayton Kershaw looked rusty during his first major league outing in nearly nine months. The three-time Cy Young Award winner lasted four innings Saturday night for the Los Angeles Dodgers, allowing five runs and five hits in a no-decision against the Angels. He walked three, struck out two and threw 48 of 83 pitches for strikes. The club’s career strikeout leader needs 30 to reach 3,000 in his illustrious career. Kershaw was making his 2025 debut after recovering from offseason toe and knee surgeries. The 37-year-old left-hander gave up three runs in a 38-pitch first inning when Logan O’Hoppe delivered a two-run single and Matthew Lugo had an RBI single.

Ohtani throws 50-pitch bullpen session in return from elbow surgery; Kershaw activated

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Shohei Ohtani threw a 50-pitch bullpen session Saturday, another step in his throwing program in his return from elbow surgery. Ohtani advanced from the 35 pitches he tossed in is previous bullpen session on the same day that the Dodgers activated left-handed pitcher Clayton Kershaw, who made his season debut against the Los Angeles Angels. To make room on the roster for Kershaw, right-hander Ryan Loutos was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Also, left-hander Blake Snell (shoulder) was transferred to the 60-day injured list.

Scottie Scheffler storms into a 3-shot lead in the PGA Championship with another major in sight

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Scottie Scheffler has gone from a three-shot deficit to a three-shot lead in the PGA Championship. Scheffler pulled away Saturday by playing the last five holes at Quail Hollow in 5-under par. That gives him a 65 and the lead over Alex Noren. It was a wild day at Quail Hollow in which nine players had at least a share of the lead at one point. That included Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm. DeChambeau played the last three holes in 3 over and shot 69. He was six behind. Rahm shot a 67 and was five shots back.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora says he’ll miss Monday’s game to attend daughter’s college graduation

BOSTON (AP) — Red Sox manager Alex Cora says he will miss Monday’s series opener against the New York Mets at Fenway Park so he can attend his daughter’s college graduation. Cora’s daughter will be graduating from nearby Boston College. Cora says “it’s going to be a very special day — one that I’m not going to miss.” Asked if he’ll be able to hold back his emotions at the ceremony, Cora smiled and said: “We’ll see” before bringing up memories of when his daughter was at the 2018 World Series victory celebration.

Forest wins to keep alive Champions League hopes on landmark day for Everton and Vardy

Nottingham Forest has kept alive its Champions League qualification chances by beating West Ham 2-1 in the Premier League on a day Everton bade an emotional farewell to Goodison Park and Jamie Vardy scored a landmark goal on his last appearance for Leicester. Seventh-placed Forest moved level on points with Manchester City in sixth and will likely need to beat Chelsea — in fourth place and also battling to get into the Champions League — in the final round of matches next weekend to secure a top-five finish. Everton said goodbye to Goodison, its home of 133 years, with a 2-0 victory over Southampton and the departing Vardy netted a 200th goal for Leicester in its 2-0 win over Ipswich.