From Thuc Nhi Nguyen: With the Lakers down 1-0 in the Western Conference semifinals, Luka Doncic has not yet ramped up to on-court contact drills while recovering from an injured left hamstring that had an initial eight-week timeline for his return.
Doncic, speaking to reporters for the first time since he hobbled off the court at Oklahoma City’s Paycom Center on April 2, said Wednesday he has improved enough to begin running but he has not progressed to on-court contact drills. After suffering a left hamstring injury earlier this season, Doncic said the latest Grade 2 strain to the same area is unlike any he’s experienced because of its severity.
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But it has not stopped him from trying to come back as soon as possible.
“I’m just doing everything I can,” Doncic said. “Every day I’m doing stuff I’m supposed to do. Obviously recovery, now I’m working … just going day by day, and I feel better every day.”
Soon after his injury, Doncic went to Spain and received platelet-rich plasma injections with hopes of helping his recovery. He stayed for roughly two weeks because he needed to wait four days between each injection. He received four in total.
Without their leading scorer, the Lakers fought through a six-game, first-round series against the Houston Rockets, playing four of those games without Austin Reaves, who was also injured in the same game as Doncic. The fourth-seeded Lakers lost 108-90 to the defending champion Thunder in Game 1 of the conference semifinals on Tuesday.
Lakers star Austin Reaves shoots in front of Oklahoma City’s Alex Caruso, right, during the Lakers’ Game 1 playoff loss Tuesday.
(Kyle Phillips / Associated Press)
From Bill Plaschke: It was the best opportunity for the potential free agent to begin earning the $241-million contract the Lakers were expected to offer this summer, the best chance for the April-cursed guard to escape his playoff demons and paint the Lakers’ future with a max masterpiece.
The badly outmanned and heavily underdog Lakers generally played well enough and smart enough to hang with the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder Tuesday night in the opener of their Western Conference semifinal series at Paycom Center.
All except for you-know-who.
In their 108-90 loss, Austin Reaves was arguably the difference.
Dodgers starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow delivers in the first inning against the Houston Astros on Wednesday.
(Ashley Landis / Associated Press)
From Maddie Lee: Dodgers right-hander Tyler Glasnow felt his back spasm on a warmup pitch ahead of the bottom of the second inning Wednesday. He threw another to test it. No luck. Bending at the waist was too hard to pitch through the discomfort. He motioned to the dugout.
Glasnow threw just one inning in the Dodgers’ 12-2 rout of the Astros before exiting with what the Dodgers called lower back pain.
“It kind of just gives out,” Glasnow said of the recurring injury. “I’ve gotten it since high school. Being tall, I guess. I get it a couple times a year. … Once it feels better, it feels better. It shouldn’t be too long.”
Last September, Glasnow was scratched from a start against the Orioles with back tightness, but he went on to pitch three days later. In 2024, he spent two weeks on the IL over the All-Star break with a back injury.
Ducks forward Leo Carlsson celebrates after scoring in the third period of a 3-1 win over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals on Wednesday night.
(John Locher / Associated Press)
From Kevin Baxter: Before the Ducks had even checked out of their hotel Wednesday for the short bus ride to T-Mobile Arena for Game 2 of their Stanley Cup playoff series, the Las Vegas sports books had made the hometown Golden Knights heavy favorites.
That proved to be a poor bet a couple of hours later when the Ducks rolled to a 3-1 victory, evening the best-of-seven playoff series at 1-1. The second-round series resumes Friday at Honda Center.
The Ducks’ goals came from Beckett Sennecke in the second period and Leo Carlsson and Jansen Harkins in the third. Harkins’ goal, into an empty net, was the exclamation point on the win. Jack Eichel scored Vegas’ only goal on a power play in the final seconds, denying goaltender Lukas Dostal and the Ducks their first shutout of the season.
From Bill Shaikin: I walked around a street fair in Irvine over the weekend, checking out the crowd while waiting for my daughter’s dance team to perform. We were a few short miles from Angel Stadium, but you wouldn’t have known it: lots of people wearing Dodgers caps, someone wearing a Shohei Ohtani cap, someone else wearing an Ohtani jersey, someone else wearing a Clayton Kershaw jersey, a dog wearing a Dodgers bandana, and people repping the Padres, Giants, Athletics and Yankees.
After 25 minutes, someone walked by in an Angels cap.
If the passion wanes, apathy can set in. I wondered if that is where the Angels might find themselves now, with a slice of their fan base finding a more enjoyable way to spend its summers than watching one losing season after another, and with the shadow of baseball’s best team extending ever more securely into Orange County.
The Angels won a series for the first time since April 10-12 at Cincinnati. The Angels (15-23) are 2-7-2 in series this season.
D’Arnaud’s 396-foot shot off Noah Schultz (2-2), the backup catcher’s first homer of the season, kicked off a five-run second inning for the Halos. After Bryce Teodosio doubled on a ball that got past right fielder Jarred Kelenic, Zach Neto hit a stand-up RBI triple.
Valdez had given up 10 runs, including back-to-back solo home runs in the previous two at-bats, when Story batted in the top of the fourth inning on Tuesday at Comerica Park.
What happened next wasn’t intentional — at least that’s what Valdez said after the Tigers’ 10-3 loss.
Not everybody believes him. Valdez has received a six-game suspension and a fine for an undisclosed amount after hitting Story in the back with a 94-mph fastball with the first pitch of the at-bat, MLB announced Wednesday. The suspension will begin that night in the Red Sox-Tigers series finale, unless Valdez appeals.
Tina Charles, the WNBA’s leader in career rebounds and double-doubles, has retired after 14 seasons.
(Justin Casterline / Getty Images)
From Tracy Brown: Former WNBA MVP Tina Charles has retired after 14 seasons in the league.
“Today, I officially announce my retirement from basketball,” the eight-time All Star wrote in a post shared across her social media accounts Tuesday. “This game gave me everything and I’ll miss it deeply.”
The veteran center — the No. 1 overall draft pick selected by the Connecticut Sun in 2010 — played for six WNBA franchises over the course of her career, including a lengthy stint with the New York Liberty. Named the league MVP during her 2012 campaign, Charles is the WNBA’s leader in career rebounds (4,262), double-doubles (201) and made field goals (3,364), as well as second on the list for career points (8,396) behind Diana Taurasi.
Just hours after Golden Tempo returned to the racetrack at Keeneland for the first time since his victory Saturday at Churchill Downs, DeVaux posted a statement on X.
Second round All times Pacific at Oklahoma City 108, Lakers 90 (box score) Thursday at Oklahoma City, 6:30 p.m., Amazon Prime Saturday at Lakers, 5:30 p.m., ABC Monday at Lakers, 7:30 p.m., Prime Video *Wednesday at Oklahoma City, TBD *Saturday, May 16 at Lakers, TBD *Monday, May 18 at Oklahoma City, TBD *- if necessary
Ducks playoffs schedule
Second round All times Pacific at Vegas 3, Ducks 1 (summary) Ducks 3, at Vegas 1 (summary) Friday at Ducks, 6:30 p.m., TNT, truTV, HBO MAX Sunday at Ducks, 6:30 p.m., ESPN *Tuesday at Vegas, TBD, ESPN *Thursday, May 14 at Ducks, TBD, TNT, truTV, HBO MAX *Saturday, May 16 at Vegas, TBA, ABC or ESPN *-if necessary
This day in sports history
1938 — Lawrin, ridden by Eddie Arcaro, wins the Kentucky Derby by one length over Dauber.
1945 — Branch Rickey announces formation of the US Negro Baseball League.
1951 — International Olympic committee allows Russia to participate in 1952 Olympics.
1955 — Swaps, ridden by Willie Shoemaker, wins the Kentucky Derby by 1 1/2 lengths over Nashua.
1969 — 2nd ABA championship: Oakland Oaks beat Indiana Pacers, 4 games to 1.
1972 — The Los Angeles Lakers win their first NBA championship with a 114-100 victory over the New York Knicks in Game 5.
1977 — Heavily favored Seattle Slew, ridden by Jean Cruguet, wins the Kentucky Derby by 1 3/4 lengths over Run Dusty Run.
1982 — A federal jury rules the NFL violated antitrust laws when it unsuccessfully attempted to prevent the Oakland Raiders from moving to Los Angeles.
1986 — 30th European Cup: Steaua Bucuresti beats Barcelona (0-0, 2-0 on penalties) at Seville.
1988 — Winning Colors, ridden by Gary Stevens, leads from start to finish to win the Kentucky Derby by a neck, becoming the first roan and the third filly to win the race.
1989 — Chicago’s Michael Jordan hits an 18-foot shot over the outstretched fingertips of Craig Ehlo to give the Bulls a 101-100 victory in the deciding Game 5 of their 1989 Eastern Conference first round playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
1993 — Wayne Gretzky of the Los Angeles Kings scores his 100th and 101st playoff goals in a 7-4 win over the Vancouver Canucks.
1994 — The Denver Nuggets, with a 98-94 overtime win against the No. 1-seeded Seattle SuperSonics, become the first eighth-seeded playoff team to win a series. The Nuggets come back from an 0-2 deficit in the best-of-5 series.
1995 — Reggie Miller scores eight points in the last 16 seconds to lead the Indiana Pacers to a 107-105 win over the New York Knicks in the second-round opener of the NBA playoffs.
2005 — Giacomo, a 50-1 shot, wins the Kentucky Derby, running down a game Afleet Alex in the final strides and generating a huge payoff. Closing Argument, a 70-1 shot, finishes second with Afleet Alex third.
2005 — Dallas’ 116-76 victory over Houston is the most lopsided Game 7 score in NBA history. The Mavericks are the third team in playoff history to win a seven-game series after losing the first two games at home.
2010 — Before a record hockey crowd of 77,803, the U.S. loses to Germany 2-1 in the opening game of the world hockey championships. Felix Schutz scores the winning goal 21 seconds into overtime at Veltins Arena, ordinarily the home of the Schalke soccer team.
2014 — Russell Westbrook has a triple-double, Kevin Durant falls one assist short and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Los Angeles Clippers 112-101 to tie their Western Conference semifinal series at one win apiece. Westbrook has 31 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Durant has 32 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists before leaving the game with 1:21 remaining.
2016 — Nyquist won the Kentucky Derby by 1 1/4 lengths, improving to 8-0 in his career as the fourth consecutive favorite to win the race. Ridden by Mario Gutierrez, Nyquist finished in 2:01.31. The 3-year-old colt became the eighth unbeaten winner in the race’s 142-year history.
2017 — Bradley Beal scores 29 points and Washington Wizards used a 26-0 third-quarter run to beat the Boston Celtics 121-102 to tie the second-round series at two games apiece. John Wall, who adds 27 points and 12 assists, has seven points, three assists and two steals during the third-quarter spree.
2021 — Cincinnati Reds pitcher Wade Miley no-hits Cleveland Indians, 3-0 at Progressive Field, Cleveland.
Compiled by the Associated Press.
Until next time…
That concludes today’s newsletter. If you have any feedback, ideas for improvement or things you’d like to see, email me at houston.mitchell@latimes.com. To get this newsletter in your inbox, click here.
Irish Sport for Palestine accuses Israel of engaging in ‘genocide’ in war on Gaza ahead of UEFA Nations League game.
Published On 7 May 20267 May 2026
Leading Irish footballers have joined celebrities in a campaign urging the Republic of Ireland to boycott a UEFA Nations League match against Israel later this year.
An open letter sent to the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) from campaign group Irish Sport for Palestine accuses Israel of engaging in “genocide” in the war in Gaza and of breaching UEFA and FIFA statutes by allowing teams to play on occupied Palestinian land.
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In November 2025, 93 percent of FAI members voted for its leadership to press UEFA to suspend Israel under those statutes, a mandate campaigners say the Irish governing body should “respect and represent”.
Israel has denied that its forces have committed genocide during the war in Gaza.
The letter, entitled “Stop the Game”, was signed by League of Ireland players, former men’s coach Brian Kerr and twice women’s player of the year Louise Quinn.
Irish rock band Fontaines D C, hip-hop trio Kneecap and singer-songwriter Christy Moore were among the other signatories, along with Oscar-nominated actor Stephen Rea.
Ireland are set to host Israel at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on October 4, while a September 27 fixture designated as an Israeli home match is expected to be staged at a neutral venue.
The letter includes a statement from Shamrock Rovers captain and Professional Footballers’ Association of Ireland chair Roberto Lopes.
“We can’t ignore the humanitarian catastrophe in Palestine; the sheer loss of life there has to take precedence over any sporting consideration,” said Dublin-born Lopes, who is set to play at the World Cup for Cape Verde in June.
“Ireland has an opportunity here to lead and do what others won’t.”
Israel have played in UEFA competitions since the early 1980s after being excluded from Asian Football Confederation (AFC) competitions in the 1970s when several countries refused to play against them.
Ireland’s prime minister Micheal Martin said the two matches against Israel should go ahead.
“We have been critics and have opposed very strongly Israeli government policy within Gaza in particular. We condemned the Hamas attack on Israel which was absolutely horrific,” the taoiseach told The Irish Times.
“I think sport is an area that can be challenging when it crosses into the realm of politics.”
In February, FAI Chief Executive David Courell said the national team had no choice but to fulfil its obligations or risk harming the long-term sporting interests of Irish football, including potential disqualification from future competitions.
A poll by the Irish Football Supporters Partnership found 76 percent of respondents opposed the fixture being played.
The Southern Section will hold its four track and field prelims on Saturday at four high schools, but lots of focus will take place at the Division 3 meet at Yorba Linda.
Servite, with its outstanding sprinters, and Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, with sprinters, hurdlers and shotputters, will be trying to qualify their best athletes in preparation to battle it out at the Southern Section championships on May 16 at Moorpark High.
“We’re trying to qualify but also build upon all our races,” Servite coach Brandon Thomas said.
Servite looks finally healthy. Robert Gardner, a sprinter who was hurt all season, ran 10.87 seconds last week in the 100 meters in his comeback race. He’ll be one of four Servite athletes trying to qualify in the 100. Another previously injured athlete, Jaelen Hunter, has also returned and will be in the 400.
Notre Dame’s Brayden Borquez recovered from his spill at the Arcadia Invitational to win the 110 hurdles last week at the Mission League finals. JJ Harel, the defending state champion in the high jump, is also gearing up to score points in the long jump and triple jump.
Events: Men’s baseball gold medal finals, women’s basketball gold medal finals, men’s soccer gold medal finals, swimming preliminary and tennis quarter final mixed doubles
Thoughts: ”My uncle made a spreadsheet. The tickets are for me, my uncle, friends and I’m hoping to take my nephew as well. I was 10 years old at the 1984 Olympics and got to go to gymnastics, swimming and closing ceremonies, and my nephew will be 10 in 2028. I know L.A. is going to have an amazing Olympics, we are Los Angeles! Ten million creative, beautiful people, always dreaming and we know how to wow people. I can’t wait and hopefully traffic is smooth, a glamorous sequel to ’84.”
Spain international Dani Carvajal injured his right foot during a training session for Real Madrid last week.
Published On 7 May 20267 May 2026
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente says Dani Carvajal could still make his World Cup squad but the right back must prove his fitness and form after suffering a foot injury in training with his club Real Madrid last week.
“Carvajal is a very important figure in our dressing room,” de la Fuente said on Wednesday.
“I actually spoke with him yesterday, so I’m aware of what’s going on. He doesn’t have a specific injury, nothing serious, but he needs time to get back to his usual level.
“We’ll see in the remaining matches whether he truly gets the opportunity and delivers the performances.”
De la Fuente added that Carvajal, who made just one appearance for Spain in 2025, would understand if he is left out of the squad for the World Cup, which is being held in the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
Carvajal, 34, is approaching the final weeks of his contract with Real and has struggled for game time this season amid competition from Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Spain begin their World Cup campaign against Cape Verde on June 15 and also face Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in Group H.
#4 Venice d. #5 LA Marshall, 25-23, 21-25, 25-23, 25-19
#3 Chatsworth d. #6 Wilmington Banning, 25-15, 25-20, 26-24
#2 Palisades d. #7 Eagle Rock, 25-16, 25-13, 25-20
SOUTHERN SECTION
QUARTERFINALS
DIVISION 3
Palos Verdes d. Valencia, 26-24, 25-18, 26-24
St. John Bosco at Eastvale Roosevelt, Thursday
Santa Ana Foothill d. Servite, 3-1
Windward d. Crescenta Valley, 25-18, 28-26, 23-25, 25-21
DIVISION 4
Village Christian d. Chino Hills, 3-0
Royal d. Temple City, 3-1
Sunny Hills d. Northwood, 25-22, 25-22, 19-25, 25-16
Crossroads d. San Marino, 25-16, 27-29, 25-21, 25-22
DIVISION 5
El Dorado d. Dos Pueblos, 3-0
Bishop Diego d. Brea Olinda, 23-25, 22-25, 25-18, 25-19, 15-10
Bellflower d. Flintridge Prep, 25-21, 26-24, 25-17
Western Christian d. St. Anthony, 22-25, 25-11, 25-18, 20-25, 15-8
DIVISION 6
Temecula Valley d. Beverly Hills, 3-1
Culver City d. Firebaugh, 3-1
Garden Grove d. Capistrano Valley Christian, 3-1
Pasadena Poly d. Santa Ana Calvary Chapel, 3-2
DIVISION 7
Rialto d. La Sierra Academy, 3-2
Foothill Tech d. Cerritos Valley Christian, 3-2
Oakwood d. Knight, 3-2
Tustin d. Indio, 3-2
DIVISION 8
Temescal Canyon d. Santa Rosa Academy, 25-16, 25-19, 25-23
CAMS d. Eastside, 3-0
West Valley d. Burbank Providence, 3-2
Palmdale Aerospace d. Glendale Adventist, 25-23, 27-25, 25-19
DIVISION 9
Tarbut V’Torah d. Webb, 3-1
Le Lycée d. YULA, 25-22, 14-25, 21-25, 25-20,
Vasquez d. Cantwell-Sacred Heart, 3-1
Avalon at Downey Calvary Chapel, Thursday
THURSDAY’S SCHEDULE
CITY SECTION
QUARTERFINALS
(Matches at 7 p.m. unless noted)
DIVISION I
#9 East Valley at #1 Taft
#5 VAAS at #4 North Hollywood
#6 Vaughn at #3 Cleveland
#7 Larchmont Charter at #2 Sylmar
DIVISION II
#8 Huntington Park at #1 LA Hamilton
#5 Bernstein at #4 Marquez
#6 Narbonne at #3 Diego Rivera
#7 Panorama at #2 LA University
SECOND ROUND
(Matches at 4 p.m. unless noted)
DIVISION III
#17 San Fernando at #1 New West Charter, 3 p.m.
#9 Central City Value at #8 Foshay
#12 Northridge Academy at #5 University Prep Value
#13 Birmingham at #4 Sun Valley Magnet
#14 Fairfax at #3 South East
#11 Monroe at #6 Reseda
#10 Animo Bunche at #7 Lincoln
#18 Granada Hills Kennedy at #2 Legacy
DIVISION IV
#17 Canoga Park at #1 Hollywood
#9 LACES at #8 Annenberg
#12 Mendez at #5 Animo South LA
#20 Chavez at #4 Math & Science College
#19 West Adams at #3 Manual Arts
#11 Animo Robinson at #6 King/Drew
#10 Arleta at #7 Maywood CES
#18 Community Charter at #2 RFK Community
DIVISION V
#17 Garfield at #1 WISH Academy
#9 Alliance Levine at #8 Locke
#21 LAAE at #5 Fulton
#13 Rancho Dominguez vs. #4 Animo Watts at LA Adventist, 5:30 p.m.
#14 Franklin at #3 Jefferson
#11 Stern at #6 Gardena
#10 Animo De La Hoya at #7 Horace Mann UCLA Community
#15 Sotomayor at #2 Bert Corona
Note:Quarterfinals Divisions III-V May 11; Semifinals Open Division-Division I May 12; Semifinals Divisions II-V May 13; Finals All Divisions May 15-16.
Castle’s 21 points and Wembanyama’s 19 helped Spurs crush T’wolves 133-95 as Knicks take 2-0 lead over 76ers.
Published On 7 May 20267 May 2026
Victor Wembanyama scored 19 points and grabbed 15 rebounds as hosts San Antonio Spurs dominated the final three quarters on the way to a 133-95 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, levelling the teams’ Western Conference semifinal series at one win apiece.
San Antonio swamped the sixth-seeded Timberwolves in the second quarter, turning a seven-point lead after the opening period into a 24-point advantage at halftime on Wednesday.
The Spurs expanded the margin to 98-63 after three periods as Julian Champagnie poured in all 12 of his points on the night via four 3-pointers in the frame.
From there, San Antonio cruised to the finish, building their lead to as many as 47 points.
Stephon Castle’s 21 points led the Spurs, with De’Aaron Fox scoring 16, Harrison Barnes tallying 12, Dylan Harper adding 11, Devin Vassell hitting for 10 points and Keldon Johnson pulling down 10 rebounds. Wembanyama canned two 3-pointers but is just 2 of 15 from behind the arc for the series.
Second-seeded San Antonio have not lost back-to-back contests since January 11 at Minnesota and January 13 at Oklahoma City, a stretch of 49 games.
Wembanyama said of the difference between Game 1 to Game 2, “We had intensity early on. Crashing the offensive boards early, fighting for the ball and passing to the open man.
“Of course, we’re gonna keep doubling up on what worked and the few things that didn’t. We’re gonna erase them. [Minnesota] is an experienced team – we know they’re going to respond. … I love how everyone had everybody’s back. It looked like a system that worked.”
Game 3 of the best-of-seven series is scheduled for Friday in Minneapolis.
Stephon Castle led the scoring for the San Antonio Spurs [Joe Murphy/Getty Images via AFP]
Knicks take 2-0 lead over 76ers
Meanwhile, Jalen Brunson scored eight of his 26 points in the fourth quarter for the New York Knicks, who took control of their Eastern Conference semifinal by stopping the Philadelphia 76ers down the stretch to earn a 108-102 win in Game 2.
The Knicks lead the best-of-seven set series 2-0. Game 3 is scheduled for Friday night in Philadelphia.
“Being down 2-0 after coming back to win in the first round, I think it’s more of a challenge,” Sixers coach Nick Nurse said. “It was 1-1 after two games [against the Boston Celtics in the first round], right? So it’s 2-0. Puts a lot on this next game for sure, but that’s OK.”
Karl-Anthony Towns produced 20 points and 10 rebounds despite playing just 27 minutes due to foul trouble for the Knicks, who ended the game on a 12-3 run to close out a contest that included 14 ties and 25 lead changes.
OG Anunoby, who exited the game with 2:31 left after hobbling off with a right leg injury, had 24 points while Mikal Bridges added 18 points as New York won its fifth straight game overall. The Knicks’ average victory margin in the previous four games was 33.8 points.
“He looked like he was hopping,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said of Anunoby. “I have not talked to medical yet.”
Tyrese Maxey scored 26 points for the 76ers, who managed just 12 points on 4-of-19 shooting in the fourth quarter. Philadelphia took its final lead at 99-96 on Kelly Oubre Jr’s 3-pointer with 6:52 left, after which the Sixers hit 1 of 10 from the field with two turnovers.
“At the end of the day, it came down to who was going to get more stops in that fourth quarter,” Brown said. “To hold a team like that to 12 points – and they missed some shots, we know that – to have them only score 12 points in that fourth quarter, it’s huge.”
Oubre and Paul George each finished with 19 points. VJ Edgecombe had 17 points.
The 76ers Joel Embiid missed the game due to ankle and hip injuries.
Philadelphia host Game 3 and 4 on Saturday and Sunday.
Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks dribbles past Dominick Barlow of the Philadelphia 76ers [Dustin Satloff/Getty Images via AFP]
The Scottish champions will receive £3.7m for reaching the Champions League play-off round, with another £16.1m to come should they reach the league stage.
That is before bonus payments of £1.73m per win, £605,000 per draw and £275,000 per finishing position in the table – with additional payments should they progress to the last 16 or beyond.
Reaching the Europa League proper guarantees £3.7m, with performance bonuses of £388,000 per win and £130,000 per draw.
There is £187,000 available for each position in the final Europa League table.
Performance bonus payments for the Conference League are £345,000 per win and £115,000 per draw, with £24,000 for each position in the table.
Should Celtic or Rangers finish third in the Premiership, it would be a multi-million drop in their expectations of income.
For Hearts, Champions League qualification would be game changing.
Even if they drop into the Europa League, this would bring in a guaranteed minimum of around £7.3m with ticket sales and other commercial revenues to be added.
The 23rd edition of the FIFA World Cup — the biggest ever — will see 48 nations compete for the prize in a 39-day tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Sixteen venues across the three nations will host 104 matches as the tournament returns to North America after 32 years.
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Argentina will look to defend the trophy they lifted under their iconic captain, Lionel Messi, at Qatar 2022, while Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan will make their debut at the finals.
The tournament will begin in Mexico and conclude in the US.
Here’s everything you need to know about its teams, groups, format and schedule.
What are the groups and teams for the FIFA World Cup 2026?
⚽ Group A: Mexico, South Africa, Korea Republic, Czechia ⚽ Group B: Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland ⚽ Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland ⚽ Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, Turkiye ⚽ Group E: Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador ⚽ Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia ⚽ Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand ⚽ Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay ⚽ Group I: France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway ⚽ Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan ⚽ Group K: Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia ⚽ Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
When and where is the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026?
The tournament will open on June 11 at 3pm (21:00 GMT) at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico.
When and where is the final of the FIFA World Cup 2026?
The MetLife Stadium, which will be called the New York New Jersey Stadium during the tournament, will host the final on July 19 at 3pm (20:00 GMT).
Why has FIFA changed the names of the stadiums hosting World Cup matches?
In a move to restrict ambush marketing for brands not associated with FIFA, the governing body has changed stadium names for all venues to match the host city.
Therefore, the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey has been rebranded as the New York New Jersey Stadium, and the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles has been renamed the Los Angeles Stadium for the tournament.
What’s the format of the FIFA World Cup 2026?
The tournament will consist of one group-stage round and four knockout rounds before the final.
Unlike previous editions, the knockouts will begin with the round of 32, followed by the round of 16, the four quarterfinals and two semifinals.
The stage-wise breakdown of the tournament’s schedule is:
Group stage: June 11 June 27
Round of 32: June 28 to July 3
Round of 16: July 4-7
Quarterfinals: July 9-11
Semifinals: July 14-15
Bronze medal match: July 18
Final: July 19
What’s the full match schedule of the World Cup?
Group stage
Thursday, June 11
Mexico vs South Africa at 3pm (21:00 GMT) – Mexico City Stadium, Mexico City, Mexico
South Korea vs Czechia at 10pm (04:00 GMT on Friday) – Estadio Guadalajara, Zapopan, Mexico
Friday, June 12
Canada vs Bosnia at 3pm (20:00 GMT) – Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada
USA vs Paraguay at 9pm (05:00 GMT on Saturday) – Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles, US
Saturday, June 13
Qatar vs Switzerland at 3pm (23:00 GMT) – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, San Francisco, US
Brazil vs Morocco at 6pm (23:00 GMT) – New York New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey, US
Haiti vs Scotland at 9pm (02:00 GMT on Sunday) – Boston Stadium, Boston, US
Australia vs Turkiye at midnight (08:00 GMT on Sunday) – BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
Sunday, June 14
Germany vs Curacao at 1pm (19:00 GMT) – Houston Stadium, Houston, US
Netherlands vs Japan at 4pm (22:00 GMT) – Dallas Stadium, Dallas, US
Ivory Coast vs Ecuador at 7pm (00:00 GMT on Monday) – Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia, US
Sweden vs Tunisia at 10pm (04:00 GMT on Monday) – Estadio Monterrey, Guadalupe, Mexico
Monday, June 15
Spain vs Cape Verde at 12pm (17:00 GMT) – Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, US
Belgium vs Egypt at 3pm (23:00 GMT) – BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay at 6pm (23:00 GMT) – Miami Stadium, Miami, US
Iran vs New Zealand at 9pm (05:00 GMT on Tuesday) – Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles, US
Tuesday, June 16
France vs Senegal at 3pm (20:00 GMT) – New York New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey, US
Iraq vs Norway at 6pm (23:00 GMT) – Boston Stadium, Boston, US
Argentina vs Algeria at 9pm (03:00 GMT on Wednesday) – Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City, US
Austria vs Jordan at midnight (08:00 GMT on Wednesday) – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, San Francisco, US
Wednesday, June 17
Portugal vs DRC at 1pm (19:00 GMT) – Houston Stadium, Houston, US
England vs Croatia at 4pm (22:00 GMT) – Dallas Stadium, Dallas, US
Ghana vs Panama at 7pm (00:00 GMT on Thursday) – Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada
Uzbekistan vs Colombia at 10pm (04:00 GMT on Thursday) – Mexico City Stadium, Mexico City, Mexico
Thursday, June 18
Czechia vs South Africa at 12pm (17:00 GMT) – Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, US
Switzerland vs Bosnia at 3pm (23:00 GMT) – Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles, US
Canada vs Qatar at 6pm (02:00 GMT on Friday) – BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
Mexico vs South Korea at 9pm (03:00 GMT on Friday) – Estadio Guadalajara, Zapopan, Mexico
Friday, June 19
Scotland vs Morocco at 6pm (23:00 GMT) – Boston Stadium, Boston, US
USA vs Australia at 3pm (23:00 GMT) – Seattle Stadium, Seattle, US
Brazil vs Haiti at 9pm (02:00 GMT on Saturday) – Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia, US
Turkiye vs Paraguay at midnight (08:00 GMT on Saturday) – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, San Francisco, US
Saturday, June 20
Netherlands vs Sweden at 1pm (19:00 GMT) – Houston Stadium, Houston, US
Germany vs Ivory Coast at 4pm (21:00 GMT) – Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada
Ecuador vs Curacao at 8pm (04:00 GMT on Sunday) – Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City, US
Tunisia vs Japan at midnight (06:00 GMT on Sunday) – Estadio Monterrey, Guadalupe, Mexico
Sunday, June 21
Spain vs Saudi Arabia at 12pm (17:00 GMT) – Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, US
Belgium vs Iran at 3pm (23:00 GMT) – Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles, US
Uruguay vs Cape Verde at 6pm (23:00 GMT) – Miami Stadium, Miami, US
New Zealand vs Egypt at 9pm (05:00 GMT on Monday) – BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
Monday, June 22
Argentina vs Austria at 1pm (19:00 GMT) – Dallas Stadium, Dallas, US
France vs Iraq at 5pm (22:00 GMT) – Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia, US
Norway vs Senegal at 8pm (01:00 GMT on Tuesday) – New York New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey, US
Jordan vs Algeria at 11pm (07:00 GMT on Tuesday) – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, San Francisco, US
Tuesday, June 23
Portugal vs Uzbekistan at 1pm (19:00 GMT) – Houston Stadium, Houston, US
England vs Ghana at 4pm (21:00 GMT) – Boston Stadium, Boston, US
Panama vs Croatia at 7pm (00:00 GMT on Wednesday) – Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada
Colombia vs DRC at 10pm (04:00 GMT on Wednesday) – Estadio Guadalajara, Zapopan, Mexico
Wednesday, June 24
Switzerland vs Canada at 3pm (23:00 GMT) – BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
Bosnia vs Qatar at 3pm (23:00 GMT) – Seattle Stadium, Seattle, US
Scotland vs Brazil at 6pm (23:00 GMT) – Miami Stadium, Miami, US
Morocco vs Haiti at 6pm (23:00 GMT) – Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, US
Czechia vs Mexico at 9pm (03:00 GMT on Thursday) – Mexico City Stadium, Mexico City, Mexico
South Africa vs South Korea at 9pm (03:00 GMT on Thursday) – Estadio Monterrey, Guadalupe, Mexico
Thursday, June 25
Ecuador vs Germany at 4pm (21:00 GMT) – New York New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey, US
Curacao vs Ivory Coast at 4pm (21:00 GMT) – Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia, US
Japan vs Sweden at 7pm (01:00 GMT on Friday) – Dallas Stadium, Dallas, US
Tunisia vs Netherlands at 7pm (01:00 GMT on Friday) – Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City, US,
Turkiye vs USA at 10pm (06:00 GMT on Friday) – Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles, US
Paraguay vs Australia at 10pm (06:00 GMT on Friday) – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, San Francisco, US
Friday, June 26
Norway vs France at 3pm (20:00 GMT) – Boston Stadium, Boston, US
Senegal vs Iraq at 3pm (20:00 GMT) – Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada
Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia at 8pm (02:00 GMT on Saturday) – Houston Stadium, Houston, US
Uruguay vs Spain at 8pm (02:00 GMT on Saturday) – Estadio Guadalajara, Zapopan, Mexico
Egypt vs Iran at 11pm (07:00 GMT on Saturday) – Seattle Stadium, Seattle, US
New Zealand vs Belgium at 11pm (07:00 GMT on Saturday) – BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
Saturday, June 27
Panama vs England at 5pm (22:00 GMT) – New York New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey, US
Croatia vs Ghana at 5pm (22:00 GMT) – Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia, US
Colombia vs Portugal at 7:30pm (02:30 GMT on Sunday) – Miami Stadium, Miami, US
DRC vs Uzbekistan at 7:30pm (02:30 GMT on Sunday) – Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, US
Algeria vs Austria at 10pm (04:00 GMT on Sunday) – Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City, US
Jordan vs Argentina at 10pm (04:00 GMT on Sunday) – Dallas Stadium, Dallas, US
Knockout stage
Sunday, June 28
Round of 32 match at 3pm (23:00 GMT) – Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles, US
Monday, June 29
Round of 32 match at 1pm (19:00 GMT) – Houston Stadium, Houston, US
Round of 32 match at 4:30pm (22:30 GMT) – Boston Stadium, Boston, US
Round of 32 match at 9pm (03:00 GMT on Tuesday) – Estadio Monterrey, Guadalupe, Mexico
Tuesday, June 30
Round of 32 match at 1pm (19:00 GMT) – Dallas Stadium, Dallas, US
Round of 32 match at 5pm (22:00 GMT) – New York New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey, US
Round of 32 match at 9pm (03:00 GMT on Wednesday) – Mexico City Stadium, Mexico City, Mexico
Wednesday, July 1
Round of 32 match at 12pm (17:00 GMT) – Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, US
Round of 32 match at 4pm (00:00 GMT on Thursday) – Seattle Stadium, Seattle, US
Round of 32 match at 8pm (04:00 GMT on Thursday) – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, San Francisco, US
Thursday, July 2
Round of 32 match at 3pm (23:00 GMT) – Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles, US
Round of 32 match at 7pm (00:00 GMT on Friday) – Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada
Round of 32 match at 11pm (07:00 GMT on Friday) – BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
Friday, July 3
Round of 32 match at 2pm (21:00 GMT) – Dallas Stadium, Dallas, US
Round of 32 match at 6pm (23:00 GMT) – Miami Stadium, Miami, US
Round of 32 match at 9:30pm (03:30 GMT on Saturday) – Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City, US
Saturday, July 4
Round of 16 match at 1pm (19:00 GMT) – Houston Stadium, Houston, US
Round of 16 match at 5pm (22:00 GMT) – Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia, US
Sunday, July 5
Round of 16 match at 4pm (21:00 GMT) – New York New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey, US
Round of 16 match at 8pm (02:00 GMT on Monday) – Mexico City Stadium, Mexico City, Mexico
Monday, July 6
Round of 16 match at 3pm (21:00 GMT) – Dallas Stadium, Dallas, US
Round of 16 match at 8pm (04:00 GMT on Tuesday) – Seattle Stadium, Seattle, US
Tuesday, July 7
Round of 16 match at 12pm (17:00 GMT) – Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, US
Round of 16 match at 4pm (00:00 GMT on Wednesday) – BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
Thursday, 9 July
First quarterfinal at 4pm (21:00 GMT) – Boston Stadium, Boston, US
Friday, 10 July
Second quarterfinal at 3pm (23:00 GMT) – Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles, US
Saturday, July 11
Third quarterfinal at 5pm (22:00 GMT) – Miami Stadium, Miami, US
Fourth quarterfinal at 9pm (03:00 GMT on Sunday) – Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City, US
Tuesday, July 14
First semifinal at 3pm (21:00 GMT) – Dallas Stadium, Dallas, US
Wednesday, July 15
Second semifinal at 3pm (20:00 GMT) – Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, US
Saturday, July 18
Bronze medal match at 5pm (22:00 GMT) – Miami Stadium, Miami, US
Sunday, July 19
Final at 3pm (20:00 GMT) – New York New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey, US.
Villa’s wretched 2-1 home defeat by Tottenham on Sunday – a third consecutive loss – did not give them the ideal platform, even if Emery made eight changes.
It underlined the lack of depth within the squad, with Emi Martinez, Matty Cash, Youri Tielemans and Morgan Rogers viewed as the only first-choice starters in Sunday’s XI.
Emery, though, has earned admiration from at least two fellow Premier League managers who have been privately impressed with the decisions he made – a clear focus on his biggest game at the club – and how he stuck to the strategy.
He has won the Europa League a record four times – three times with Sevilla and once with Villarreal – and with minds focused those close to Emery expect to see a different performance to Sunday’s surrender.
“We are improving, including myself, and we will have more challenges to set for the present or future,” said Emery, when asked if this is the last chance for this squad to win something.
“I don’t think tomorrow is the last opportunity for us or anyone. The players are enjoying the process we are doing and they are aware about how difficult football is, and this is the greatest moment we are having in the last three years.
“It will break nothing about how we are thinking and trying to improve.”
Even if Emery believes they can push for honours beyond this season and with Champions League football – Villa should finish in the Premier League’s top five regardless of their European fate – changes are expected.
The squad needs to be refreshed and selling players is the easiest way to comply with regulations – with England forward Morgan Rogers their biggest asset.
There is a realisation a significant number need to be recycled and Emery has been aware since the opening month of the season what needs to be done.
He and president of football operations Roberto Olabe are aligned, but Olabe was brought in to help progress Villa further, more medium and longer term.
Going forward there will be more focus on younger players, and filling the necessary first-team gaps with more senior signings, but Emery, the same as any manager, wants players who are ready now.
The pair are close – Emery handpicked Olabe to replace Monchi in September – so a common ground is found and the duo spend hours talking about tactics and philosophies, conversations which usually start in the club’s canteen at Bodymoor Heath.
Yet the desire for new players to take Villa to the next level is the hardest task.
Champions League analysts Nedum Onuoha, Guillem Balague and Stephen Warnock look at two contentious handball decisions that weren’t awarded against Paris St-Germain, including a potential red card for Nuno Mendes and a possible penalty for Bayern Munich.
Champions League analysts Stephen Warnock, Nedum Onuoha and Guillem Balague explain how Arsenal were able to “make life difficult” with the use of a man-to-man press high up the pitch to force Atletico Madrid to play the ball long in their semi-final second leg at the Emirates Stadium.
Former WNBA MVP Tina Charles has retired after 14 seasons in the league.
“Today, I officially announce my retirement from basketball,” the eight-time All Star wrote in a post shared across her social media accounts Tuesday. “This game gave me everything and I’ll miss it deeply.”
The veteran center — the No. 1 overall draft pick selected by the Connecticut Sun in 2010 — played for six WNBA franchises over the course of her career, including a lengthy stint with the New York Liberty. Named the league MVP during her 2012 campaign, Charles is the WNBA’s leader in career rebounds (4,262), double-doubles (201) and made field goals (3,364), as well as second on the list for career points (8,396) behind Diana Taurasi.
“I’ve experienced the highest highs and the lowest lows, and I’m thankful for all of it,” Charles wrote, reflecting on her professional career and “lifetime of love for this game.” “Growing up in Queens, New York, basketball wasn’t just a game, it was a language, a rhythm, its survival, its expression. It pulled me in early, and I gave myself fully to it. It shaped me into the woman I am today and for that, I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Charles is an expected future Hall of Famer. While a WNBA championship eluded her, her career includes three Olympic gold medals with Team USA, two NCAA championships with the UConn Huskies and a number of titles in leagues overseas. Her individual accolades also include being named to the All-WNBA team nine times, most recently in 2021, and to the league’s All-Defensive team four times. (Charles did not play in the 2020 and 2023 WNBA seasons.)
In a July episode of Sue Bird’s “Bird’s Eye View” podcast, Charles spoke candidly about her thoughts around retiring.
“I thought I was done in 2023 when I didn’t play,” she said. “Then [I] came back, found the joy, love for the game again. But here, I probably think about it every day. … Going in, playing, at this age, in the 30-minute range. Just how you feel physically, and then it’s more games.”
Charles returned to play with the Sun for the 2025 season, starting 42 of 44 games while averaging 16.3 points and 5.8 rebounds. She received the Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award for the second time during her final season, for her work with Hopey’s Heart Foundation. Charles founded the nonprofit in 2013 in honor of her late aunt, Maureen “Hopey” Vaz, to raise awareness about sudden cardiac arrest and provide automated external defibrillators to schools and recreation centers that need them.
According to the New York Times, Charles is currently pursuing a master’s degree in sports management at UConn and is eyeing the possibility of working in a front office of a WNBA, NBA or college team in the future while continuing her Hopey’s Heart Foundation efforts. She also has plans to get into the beer business.
“There are still dreams in my heart that are waiting to be lived, and I can’t wait to share that journey with you all,” Charles said in her social media post.
Their Spanish coach is the mastermind of this new PSG, built from the ashes of the superstar era which saw Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar the centrepieces of a dysfunctional, ego-ridden outfit who never resembled a team.
In their place is the perfect combination of brilliant individual skill bolted on to a savage work ethic and defensive solidity that will make them a formidable hurdle for Arsenal to overcome.
And the leader is Marquinhos.
The Brazil centre-half arrived at PSG from Roma in 2013, surviving Luis Enrique’s cull of big names because the coach is wise enough to see a consummate professional and world-class defender when he sees one.
He has formed a superb partnership with the formidable Willian Pacho, who played a key role in keeping Kane under wraps until the England captain’s strike in the dying seconds.
Kvaratskhelia and Dembele combined for the game’s defining moment, while 20-year-old Desire Doue – the young face of the new PSG – tormented Vincent Kompany’s side, coming close on several occasions in the second half.
And yet the glue that held it all together was Marquinhos, still peerless at 31, and with the uncanny knack of being in the right place at the right time while exuding calm authority.
To complete the picture, PSG’s midfield of Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz and Joao Neves is the well-oiled engine room linking it all together.
Ruiz’s pass in the build-up to Dembele’s goal was a thing of beauty – but he then reverted to doing the defensive dirty work Luis Enrique demands and which his team seems only too happy to deliver.
Vardy was released by his boyhood club Sheffield Wednesday for being too small, but the documentary unearths footage of his blistering goalscoring form in his Stocksbridge days while also working in a factory making medical splints.
However, in the first of a series of problems in 2007, Vardy admits in the documentary he had “no stability” in his life. He had been convicted of assault when out drinking and had to wear an ankle tag for six months.
He also had a 6pm curfew which meant he had to leave matches early.
Moves to Halifax Town – where Vardy met his long‑time agent John Morris – and later Fleetwood Town followed, before his £1m move to then‑Championship club Leicester City.
Woven throughout are “The Inbetweeners” – a nickname given to Vardy’s small, all‑male social group from Sheffield – who act as his main support, alongside his wife.
“If one of us is having a problem, then get it in the group. Might get abused for a bit but at least it’s us lot keeping an eye on each other,” Vardy says.
They were needed, as former Foxes midfielder Andy King says Vardy experienced an initial “culture shock” at Leicester, where the striker admits he initially felt not good enough.
Physiotherapist Dave Rennie also corroborates accounts of Vardy’s struggles with alcohol, worsened by the pressure of the move, including “manufacturing his own Skittles vodka at home”.
Vardy would arrive at training hungover and, on one occasion, uncontactable to his then-pregnant Rebekah, or Becky as he affectionately calls her.
There was a feeling he was going to throw away his career, but the work of a “good psychologist”, the patience of manager Nigel Pearson and his own efforts to grow up after the birth of his daughter Ella kept him going.
He later described it as “a massive, massive learning curve”, explaining he was never taught which terms he could and could not use.
The film also highlights “one of the harder things” Vardy experienced when he rushed home from a team‑bonding trip to Helsinki after being told a tabloid was publishing a story about his secret biological father, who he had no prior knowledge of.
Still, Vardy became the poster boy and top scorer for Leicester’s Premier League title‑winning campaign in 2015‑16, went on to lift the FA Cup and fulfilled his agent’s prediction, made when he signed for Halifax, that he would one day play for England.
Asked whether he could have achieved more internationally after retiring from England in 2018, Vardy replied: “Possibly. We’ll never know.
“I’ll be honest, going away with England is unbelievable – you want to play for your country – but the mental side of it was tough. That changed when Gareth [Southgate] came in, but before that you were stuck in your room all day.
“You trained and then you were just back in your hotel room, pulling your hair out. There’s only so much time you can spend on a PlayStation or speaking to the kids on video calls. You’ve already not seen them and now you’re getting pulled away for another two weeks. It’s tough.
“At the time, after the World Cup, I just wanted to protect [my legs] as much as possible, prolong my club career, and as I’m still going now, it was obviously the right decision.”
Travis d’Arnaud hit a three-run homer, Walbert Ureña threw six innings of two-hit ball, and the Angels defeated the Chicago White Sox 8-2 on Wednesday.
The Angels won a series for the first time since April 10-12 at Cincinnati. The Angels (15-23) are 2-7-2 in series this season.
D’Arnaud’s 396-foot shot off Noah Schultz (2-2), the backup catcher’s first homer of the season, kicked off a five-run second inning for the Halos. After Bryce Teodosio doubled on a ball that got past right fielder Jarred Kelenic, Zach Neto hit a stand-up RBI triple.
Mike Trout brought one more across with an infield popup that second baseman Chase Meidroth lost in the afternoon sun for a single.
Jorge Soler and Jo Adell were hit by back-to-back pitches from reliever Osvaldo Bido with the bases loaded to bring in two runs in the fourth.
Ureña (1-3) allowed one run, struck out five and walked three in his second quality start of the season. Brent Suter, Drew Pomeranz and Chase Silseth completed a four-hitter.
Meidroth had two hits for Chicago (17-20). Standout rookie Munetaka Murakami, who is tied for the major league lead with 14 home runs, struck out four times for the second time this season.
Schultz allowed seven hits and seven runs in 3⅔ innings. He had allowed a total of six earned runs in four previous starts this year.
Up next for the Angels: Open a three-game series at Toronto on Friday with LHP Reid Detmers (1-2, 4.28) facing Blue Jays RHP Dylan Cease (2-1, 3.05).
Just hours after Golden Tempo returned to the racetrack at Keeneland for the first time since his victory Saturday at Churchill Downs, DeVaux posted a statement on X.
“After much thoughtful discussion as a team, we have decided that Golden Tempo will bypass the Preakness Stakes,” the statement read.
“We are incredibly appreciative of the excitement and support surrounding the possibility of a Triple Crown run. The enthusiasm from racing fans, our owners, and our entire team has meant more to us than we can properly express. Golden gave us the race of a lifetime in the Kentucky Derby, and we believe the best decision for him moving forward is to give him a little more time following such a tremendous effort. His health, happiness, and long-term future will always remain our top priority.”
The Preakness, set for May 16, is the second leg of the Triple Crown, followed June 6 by the Belmont Stakes, which for the third straight year will be contested in Saratoga, N.Y. Since 1978, the only horses to sweep all three races are American Pharoah in 2015 and Justify in 2018.
Golden Tempo is the second straight horse and third in the last five years not to run in the Preakness. Sovereignty, who did not participate last year, won the Belmont and later the Travers and was voted Horse of the Year.
Unlike in the past, trainers almost never run horses with just two or even three weeks’ rest. That has prompted talk that the Preakness — which has been run 14 days after the Derby since 1950 — and Belmont could be moved back to allow horses more time between races. Sports Business Journal reported last month that the Preakness was “set to make a historic shift to one week later,” though many trainers have said that won’t make a difference.
DeVaux was asked the day after the Derby if having the Preakness four weeks after the Derby would make her decision easier.
“I mean, it would make anyone’s decision easier, but that’s not the Triple Crown,” she said. “So, the Triple Crown is hard to win for a reason. And I appreciate the history of it.
“You know, the horses are definitely different. They’re not built the same. They’re not trained the same as back then, but current times have shown that it can be done with the right horse.”
There is no shortage of horses aiming for the Preakness, which is limited to 14 starters. One of those — and the likely favorite if he runs — is Crude Velocity, who won the Pat Day Mile on Saturday at Churchill Downs in just his third career start. But trainer Bob Baffert, who has won the Preakness a record eight times, has yet to decide whether he wants to run the horse in two weeks.
“I’m still on fence,” Baffert said Wednesday via text. “Tempted but I’m not leaning yet.”
The Daily Racing Form reported Ocelli, the maiden who finished third in the Derby, is now expected to run in the Preakness. Trainer Whit Beckman told the Form he had Ocelli jog Wednesday and “he looked better than great.”
Added Beckman: “You wouldn’t know this horse ran Saturday. He’s made of something different. Every indication he’s given me is to point to this race. … We’re having fun, the horse is having fun. If everybody’s having fun, why stop the fun?”
According to a news release from the Preakness, other horses under consideration who didn’t run in the Derby are Chip Honcho, Corona de Oro, Crupper, Express Kid, Great White, Iron Honor, Napoleon Solo, Pretty Boy Miah, Silent Tactic, Taj Mahal, Talkin, Talk to Me Jimmy and The Hell We Did.
The Racing Form reported jockey Jose Ortiz, who rode Golden Tempo to his Derby win, will ride Chip Honcho in the Preakness.
Bukayo Saka reacts quickest as Leandro Trossard’s shot is saved by Jan Oblak, putting in the rebound from close range to give Arsenal a 1-0 lead against Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final at the Emiates Stadium.
Though Jarred Vanderbilt suffered a gruesome dislocated right pinky injury during the Lakers’ loss in Game 1 against the Thunder on Tuesday, coach JJ Redick said his forward has been listed as day-to-day for the second-round series.
Vanderbilt, who is left-handed, was injured in the second quarter trying to block a dunk by Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren, but his hand hit the backboard. Vanderbilt immediately doubled over in pain, as the bone broke through the skin and had to be put back in place.
“They were able to put his finger back together and it’s splinted and he’s day-to-day,” Redick said Wednesday.
The Lakers and Thunder play Game 2 here Thursday night at Paycom Center.
Redick said it was a “reduction” for Vanderbilt, meaning it was a procedure to restore his dislocated finger.
Vanderbilt had his finger taped and had a splint on the finger after the game.
“Yeah. I mean, he’s obviously a tough-minded player and person,” Redick said. “It just, he had a full dislocation. So they just put the stuff back together. You know, he’ll be day-to-day.”
Redick was asked if it’ll be a pain tolerance issue for his defensive-minded forward.
“Certainly the pain is involved,” Redick said. “From my understanding, it’s basically making sure basically the tissue is healed enough. We’re obviously going to splint him, but making sure the tissue is healed enough to protect his skin barrier.”
Jaxson Hayes called Vanderbilt’s finger injury “disgusting” because the “whole bone was out of his skin.”
“Obviously, you never want to see one of your teammates go down,” Hayes said. “But, I mean, that was gross. That was really gross.”
With the Lakers down 1-0 in the Western Conference semifinals, Luka Doncic has not yet ramped up to on-court contact drills while recovering from an injured left hamstring that had an inital eight-week timeline for his return.
Doncic, speaking to reporters for the first time since he hobbled off the court at Oklahoma City’s Paycom Center on April 2, said Wednesday he has improved enough to begin running but he has not progressed to on-court contact drills. After suffering a left hamstring injury earlier this season, Doncic said the latest Grade 2 strain to the same area is unlike any he’s experienced because of its severity.
But it has not stopped him from trying to come back as soon as possible.
“I’m just doing everything I can,” Doncic said. “Every day I’m doing stuff I’m supposed to do. Obviously recovery, now I’m working … just going day by day, and I feel better every day.”
Soon after his injury, Doncic went to Spain and received platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections with hopes to help his recovery. He stayed for roughly two weeks because he needed to wait four days between each injection. He received four in total.
Without their leading scorer, the Lakers fought through a six-game, first-round series against the Houston Rockets, playing four of those games without Austin Reaves, who was also injured in the same game as Doncic. The fourth-seeded Lakers lost 108-90 to the defending champion Thunder in Game 1 of the conference semifinals on Tuesday.
Doncic had dutifully cheered from the bench during the playoff games, offering as much advice to his teammates as he can.
“It’s very frustrating,” Doncic said of the injury. “I don’t think people understand how frustrating it is. All I want to do is play basketball, especially at this time. It’s the best time to play basketball. It’s very frustrating seeing what my team is doing, I’m very proud of them. It’s been very tough just to see and watch them play.”
