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Nathan MacKinnon after Avalanche’s Game 3 win spoils Seattle Kraken’s home playoff debut: “Definitely the hardest first round I’ve been in”

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:56:08 GMT

SEATTLE — Ask Nathan MacKinnon after any Avalanche loss this season about the team’s performance that night, and he’ll downplay defeat.With a stubborn, protective loyalty toward the perpetually bruised Avs — his Avs — he’ll reiterate that it’s a long season. That losses happen. That he’s not concerned about what a singular loss means in the grand scheme of 82. Knowing this has been a more obstacle-clogged season than last, he has aimed to remain relentlessly upbeat.As he held court at his locker-room stall after a resounding display of his individual virtuosity Saturday night, the 10-year Avalanche center stayed optimistic but did share a big-picture takeaway from three playoff games, crediting the Kraken. “This is definitely the hardest first round I’ve been in,” MacKinnon said, knowing there’s considerable distance and difficulty remaining in a series the Avs lead 2-1.“Sometimes the last few years, we...

Warriors: Draymond Green to come off bench for Game 4

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:56:08 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO — Draymond Green has started 128 consecutive playoff games, but that streak is expeceted to end Sunday.In a stunning development ahead of Game 4, Green will reportedly enter Sunday’s matinee game off the bench.The Warriors are sticking with their Game 3 starters: Stephen Curry, Jordan Poole, Andrew Wiggins and Kevon Looney, according to The Athletic.With Green watching Thursday’s game from his home while he served his one-game suspension, Curry & Co. powered Golden State to a 114-97 victory over the Sacramento Kings. Coach Steve Kerr pulled the ole, ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ and opted to run it back with the same group as the Warriors try to even the first-round series before it shifts back to Sacramento this week for Game 5.This is only the third time Green has come off the bench under Kerr and first time in the playoffs. Green started all 72 regular-season games he played this season. He came off the bench for the...

Wrong-way crash on Oakland freeway leaves two hospitalized

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:56:08 GMT

OAKLAND — A man driving the wrong way on Interstate 580 in East Oakland Sunday morning collided with a City of Oakland truck sending both drivers to the hospital, the California Highway Patrol said.The wrong-way driver had to be extricated from the Ford F150 truck he was driving and was hospitalized with major injuries.The City of Oakland public works employee driving another truck was hospitalized with minor injuries, authorities said. His condition was not available.The collision happened about 7:09 a.m. Sunday in the westbound lanes of I-580 east of the Highway 13 turn off.CHP Officer Karina Oseguera said initial reports from witnesses were that the wrong way  driver, who was going eastbound in the westbound lanes, was intentionally trying to hit other vehicles before colliding with the Ford truck the city employee was driving.The CHP said it has not yet determined where the wrong way driver entered the freeway or why.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Two...

NBA playoffs live updates: Warriors try to even series in Game 4 vs. Kings with Draymond back

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:56:08 GMT

To view the live updates on your mobile device click here.GAME 2: Kings at Warriors at Chase Center, at 12:30 p.m. (ABC). TV: TNT. Announcers: Mark Jones (play-by-play), Doris Burke (color commentary), Malika Andrews (sideline reporting).ODDS: Warriors -7.5. OVER/UNDER: 237. (Both from Caesar’s Sportsbook.)CURRENT SERIES: Kings lead 2-1. SEASON SERIES: Warriors went 3-1 against the Kings in the regular season. PRIOR PLAYOFF HISTORY: None.They didn’t have Draymond Green (suspension) or Gary Payton II (illness), but the Warriors took care of business at home anyway in Game 3.Now, Sunday’s pivotal Game 4 brings both Green and Payton back into the mix and hands Warriors coach Steve Kerr a lot of difficult decisions.Related ArticlesGolden State Warriors | Should Warriors consider having Draymond or Looney come off the bench? Golden State Warriors | ‘Draymond rules’? Warriors star thinks it’s good that NBA treats him different...

Leverkusen extends unbeaten run under Alonso to 13 games

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:56:08 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — Bayer Leverkusen is reaping the benefit of Xabi Alonso’s coaching.Leverkusen showed its resilient side on Sunday with a 2-0 win over direct rival Leipzig, which dropped out of the Bundesliga’s top four and the qualification places for the Champions League.Goals from Adam Hlozek and a late penalty from Nadiem Amiri secured Leverkusen’s win and stretched its unbeaten run to 13 games across all competitions.It’s been a remarkable turnaround.Leverkusen was second from bottom in the Bundesliga with just five points from the opening eight rounds when former Spain star Alonso was appointed coach in place of the fired Gerardo Seoane.Leipzig played well for long periods but found no answer to the home team’s resolute defending or ability to surge forward thanks to the speed of its attackers.Hlozek scored five minutes before the break when Robert Andrich played a perfectly weighted through ball for Moussa Diaby to race onto on the right. Diaby whipped in a cross behind Lei...

Lukaku and Leão decisive for Inter and Milan before CL derby

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:56:08 GMT

ROME (AP) — Inter Milan has been waiting all season for this version of Romelu Lukaku.The Belgium striker scored twice and set up the third goal in a 3-0 win at Empoli on Sunday to end Inter’s five-match winless run in Serie A.The goals were Lukaku’s first from open play in the Italian league since the opening round of the season in August, having struggled with a hamstring injury during the first half of the season.The return to form couldn’t have come at a better time for Lukaku, with the second leg of the Italian Cup semifinals coming up against Juventus on Wednesday, followed by the Champions League semifinals against city rival AC Milan next month.“I’m getting my confidence back,” Lukaku said. “I’ve always got (to) give my all for this (club), because they gave me a big opportunity to become the player that I am today.”Inter remained sixth, two points behind Milan, which beat visiting Lecce 2-0 with a brace from Rafael Leão.Later, runaway leader Napoli was visiting ...

Man United beats Brighton on penalties, faces City in final

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:56:08 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Manchester United advanced to the FA Cup final on Sunday by beating Brighton 7-6 on penalty kicks at Wembley.Defender Victor Lindelof struck the winning spot kick after the semifinal match ended 0-0 through extra time. Solly March had fired over the bar for Brighton after both teams had converted their previous six penalties, leaving Lindelof to set up a final showdown with Manchester City in June. Victory saw United immediately bounce back after being dumped out of the Europa League by Sevilla on Thursday and sets up an enticing all-Manchester final. It also gives Erik ten Hag the chance to win his second trophy in his first season at the club after lifting the League Cup in February. But it was a cruel way for Brighton to lose after creating the best chances in regulation time, forcing David de Gea to make three saves to keep the game goalless after 90 minutes. The United goalkeeper pushed away an early free kick from Alexis Mac Allister and then pulled off another f...

Miami’s Oladipo tears patellar tendon, latest injury setback

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:56:08 GMT

MIAMI (AP) — The reactions from Victor Oladipo’s Miami Heat teammates told the story as he sat on the court, holding onto his left knee as fans watched in stunned silence. Kyle Lowry yelled a profanity. Max Strus covered his face with a towel. Jimmy Butler held his head in his hands, staring at the floor.They feared he was hurt badly. They were right.The Heat announced Sunday that Oladipo tore his left patellar tendon, a diagnosis that came after an MRI earlier in the day. The injury ends Oladipo’s season and calls his availability for the start of next season — and likely beyond — into serious doubt. He will need a third major surgery in just over four years, the previous two coming after a quadriceps injury over his right knee.No timetable will likely be known until after the surgery.“Yes, there are injuries. That is a part of this game. We understand that,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Sunday before the team learned of the diagnosis. “But the human side of it, when you se...

Leafs’ Lafferty fined for cross-checking Lightning’s Colton

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:56:08 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Toronto Maple Leafs forward Sam Lafferty was fined for cross-checking in Saturday’s win over Tampa Bay, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced Sunday.Lafferty was fined $3,108.11, which is the maximum allowable under the league’s collective bargaining agreement.In Saturday’s second period, Lafferty cross-checked Lightning forward Ross Colton up high in front of Toronto’s goal. Lafferty received a minor penalty for roughing. The Maple Leafs are already without forward Michael Bunting, who was suspended three games for an illegal check to the head on Tampa Bay defenseman Erik Cernak in Game 1 of the series. Toronto holds a 2-1 lead in the first-round playoff series, with the two sides returning to action on Monday night.___More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsSource

ANÁLISIS | Taylor Swift envía un poderoso mensaje a las mujeres en el “Eras Tour”

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:56:08 GMT

(CNN) — La primera sensación de incomodidad que sentí en el concierto de Taylor Swift en Las Vegas me llegó después de que se desvaneciera el contagioso ritmo de “Cruel Summer”, la canción favorita de los fans y la segunda de su gran actuación.Swift paseó por el escenario con un body de lentejuelas y botas a juego. Como ella misma dice, sus ojos de gata eran lo suficientemente afilados como para matar a un hombre.Dio las gracias a los miles de seguidores que la aclamaban por su ensordecedor apoyo y, cuando los rugidos se apagaron, hizo una pausa y gritó la frase que me dejó anonadada y envió un poderoso mensaje a las decenas de miles de mujeres asistentes sobre cómo abrazar el éxito.“Me hacen sentir como si fuera la primera mujer en encabezar el Estadio Allegiant”.Bajó la mirada hacia sus bíceps y levantó los brazos en señal de victoria.Los seguidores de Taylor Swift llevan a Ticketmaster ante la justicia por el caos en la venta de boletos para “T...