At Lenovo Center, Raleigh, North Carolina:
Juraj Slafkovsky scored twice in the third period on Thursday as the Montreal Canadiens took the opening game of the Eastern Conference Final 6-2 on the road over the Carolina Hurricanes.
After sweeping Ottawa and Philadelphia, this is the first Stanley Cup Playoff game this year that the 'Canes lost.
At Madison Square Garden, New York City:
Josh Hart scored 26 points while Mikal Bridges and Jalen Brunson (with 14 assists) each added 19 as the New York Knicks took a two-games-to-none lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA's Eastern Conference Final with their 109-93 home victory in game two.
All five starters for the Knicks scored in double digits.
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 26 points.
At Ball Arena, Denver:
In Wednesday's opening game of the Western Conference Final as the Stanley Cup Playoffs continued, Dylan Coghlan, Pavel Dorofayev (power play), Brett Howland, and Nic Dowd (empty net) each scored once while Carter Hart saved 36 of 38 shots as the Vegas Golden Knights knocked off the homestanding Colorado Avalanche 4-2 to seize home-ice advantage.
At Paycom Centre, Oklahoma City:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30 points and dished out nine assists on Wednesday as the Oklahoma City Thunder squared their NBA Western Conference Final at one game apiece with their 122-113 home victory over the San Antonio Spurs.
Seven OKC players scored in double-figures.
Stephon Castle scored 25 points in leading the Spurs (to go with his eight assists) while Devin Vassell added 22 and Victor Wembanyama 21 (with 17 rebounds).
At Madison Square Garden, New York City:
Jalen Brunson scored 38 points as the New York Knicks, with all five starters scoring in double-figures, came back from a 22-point fourth-quarter deficit to knock off the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers 115-104 in overtime of the opening game of the NBA's Eastern Conference Final.
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 29 points.
At KeyBank Center, Buffalo, New York:
Alex Newhook, at 11:22 of overtime, scored the game-and-series-winning goal as the Montreal Canadiens defeated the homestanding Buffalo Sabres 3-2 in the seven and deciding game of their Eastern Conference Semifinal series as the Stanley Cup Playoffs continued.
Les Canadiens will face the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final, which will open at Raleigh's Lenovo Center on Thursday at 5:00 PM Pacific Time on TNT, TruTV, and HBO Max.
At Paycom Center, Oklahoma City:
Victor Wembanyama scored 41 points and grabbed 24 rebounds on Monday night as the San Antonio Spurs, in double overtime, took the opening game of their NBA Western Conference Final series with the Oklahoma City Thunder, 122-155 on the road.
Dylan Harper added 24 points (while grabbing 11 rebounds) helped the Spurs' cause.
Six San Antonio players (including all five starters) scored in double digits.
Jalen Williams led Oklahoma City with 26 points while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 24 (to go with his 12 assists).
At Little Caesars Arena, Detroit: In the lone Sunday NBA Playoff game, Donovan Mitchell scored 26 points and dished out eight assists, while Jarrett Allen and Sam Merrill (off the bench) added 23 each as the Cleveland Cavaliers manhandled the Detroit Pistons 125-94 on the road to win the seventh and deciding game of their Eastern Conference semifinal series.
Evan Mobley added 21 points and 12 rebounds to the Cleveland cause.
The Pistons were led by Daniss Jenkins' 17 points.
The Cavaliers will square off against the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Final on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden at 5:00 PM PDT (ESPN/Prime Video).
At Laurel Park, Laurel, Maryland:
In Saturday's 151st running of the Preakness Stakes (taking place at Laurel Park due to ongoing construction at Baltimore's Pimlico Race Course), Napoleon Solo, with jockey Paco Lopez aboard, and with Chad Summers (making his Triple Crown debut) as trainer, won the race, with Iron Honor second, and Chip Honcho third.
Golden Tempo, who won the Kentucky Derby, passed on this one.
The Belmont Stake will take place on Saturday, June 6 at Saratoga Race Trace (Belmont Park still undergoing construction).
Associated Press photo by Stephanie Scarbrough
At Bell Centre, Montreal:
In the lone Saturday Stanley Cup Playoff contest, after trailing 3-1, the Buffalo Sabres scored seven unanswered goals and smothered the homestanding Montreal Canadiens 8-3 to square their Eastern Conference semifinal series at three games apiece.
Jason Zucker, Jack Quinn (twice), and Zach Mesta scored power-play goals for the Sabres.
The series will decided at KeyBank Center in Buffalo on Monday at 5:00 PM Pacific Time on ESPN.
The NBA Playoffs continued on Friday with two games.
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
At Rocket Arena, Cleveland:
Cade Cunningham scored 21 points and dished out eight assists as the Detroit Pistons defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-94 on the road in game six of their conference semifinal series.
Seven Pistons scored in double-figures.
James Harden led Cleveland with 23 points.
The series, now deadlocked at three games apiece, will be decided on Sunday at 5:00 PM Pacific Time on Prime Video, with the New York Knicks awaiting the winner.
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
At Target Center, Minneapolis:
Stephon Castle scored 32 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as the San Antonio Spurs, with six players (including all five starters) scoring in double-figures, manhandled the homestanding Minnesota Timberwolves 139-109 to win their conference semifinal series in six games.
Anthony Edwards (with 24 points) and Terrance Shannon, Jr., off the bench (21) paced Minnesota.
The Spurs will take on the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Final, starting on Monday at Oklahoma City's Paycom Center at 5:00 PM Pacific Time on ESPN.
The San Francisco 49ers' 2026 regular season schedule, which was released on Thursday:
Thursday, September 10:
@ Los Angeles Rams (at Melbourne, Australia), 5:35 PM Pacific Time (Netflix)
Sunday, September 20:
vs. Miami Dolphins, 1:25 PM Pacific Time (FOX)
Sunday, September 27:
vs. Arizona Cardinals, 1:05 PM Pacific Time (FOX)
Sunday, October 4:
vs. Denver Broncos, 1:25 PM Pacific Time (CBS)
Sunday, October 11:
At Seattle Seahawks, 1:25 PM Pacific Time (FOX)
Monday, October 19:
vs. Washington Commanders, 5:15 PM Pacific Time (ESPN/ABC)
Sunday, October 25:
at Atlanta Falcons, 10:00 AM Pacific Time (FOX)
November 1-2: Bye
Sunday, November 8:
vs. Las Vegas Raiders, 1:05 PM Pacific Time (CBS)
Sunday, November 15:
at Dallas Cowboys, 1:25 PM Pacific Time (FOX)
Sunday, November 22:
vs. Minnesota Vikings (at Mexico City), 5:20 PM Pacific Time (NBC)
Sunday, November 29:
vs. Seattle Seahawks, 1:25 PM Pacific Time (FOX)
Sunday, December 6:
at New York Giants, 10:00 AM Pacific Time (FOX)
Sunday, December 13:
vs. Los Angeles Rams, 1:25 PM Pacific Time (FOX)
Thursday, December 17:
at Los Angeles Chargers, 5:15 PM Pacific Time (Prime Video)
Sunday, December 27:
at Kansas City Chiefs, 1:25 PM Pacific Time (CBS)
Sunday, January 3:
vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 5:15 PM Pacific Time (NBC)
To be deternined:
at Arizona Cardinals, network or streaming service to be deternined
The Stanley Cup Playoffs continued on Thursday with two games.
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
At KeyBank Center, Buffalo, New York:
Cole Caufield, Alexandre Tower, John Anderson, Jake Evans, Nick Suzuki (power play), and Ivan Demidov (power play) each scored once as the Montreal Canadiens defeated the homestanding Buffalo Sabres 6-3.
The Habs, now up three games to two in their conference semifinal series, can finish off the Sabres with a game-six home victory on Saturday at 5:00 PM Pacific Time on ABC.
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
At Honda Center, Anaheim, California:
Pavel Dorofayev scored twice in the third period while goalie Carter Hart saved 31 of 32 shots as the Vegas Golden Knights roasted the hosts Anaheim Ducks 5-1 and wrapped up their conference semifinal series in six games.
The Golden Knights will take on the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference Final, which will open at the Ball Arena in Denver this coming Wednesday at 5:00 PM on ESPN.
At Ball Arena, Denver:
In the lone Wednesday Stanley Cup Playoff match, Brett Kulak scored the winning goal at 3:52 of overtime as the Colorado Avalanche came back from three goals down to shock the visiting Minnesota Wild 4-3 in game five of their Western Conference semifinal series and win it four games to one.
Parker Kelly, Jack Drury, and Nathan MacKinnon each scored in regulation for the Avs.
Colorado will face the winner of the Vegas-Anaheim series (in which the Golden Knights lead three games to two) in the Western Conference Final.
At Little Caesars Arena, Detroit:
In the lone Wednesday NBA Playoff contest, James Harden scored 30 points and grabbed eight rebounds while Donovan Mitchell added 21 and Max Struss, off the bench, added 20 (to go with eight rebounds) as the traveling Cleveland Cavaliers upended the Detroit Pistons 117-113 in game five of their Eastern Conference semifinal series.
Cade Cunningham paced the Pistons with 39 points while dishing out nine assists and grabbing seven rebounds.
Now up three games to two, the Cavaliers can finish this series and advance to the Eastern Conference final against the New York Knicks by defeating Detroit, this time at home on Friday at 4:00 PM PDT on Prime Video.
With Bridget Carelton scoring 26 points and Carla Leite adding 21, the Portland Fire won their first game of the season on Tuesday night, upending the visiting New York Liberty 98-96.
Pauline Asher paced New York with 24 points while all five starters scored in double-figures.
The Stanley Cup Playoffs continued on Tuesday with two games.
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
At Bell Centre, Montreal:
Mattias Samuelsson, Tage Thompson (power play), and Zach Benson (power play) each scored once as the Buffalo Sabres evened their conference semifinal series with the Montreal Canadiens with a 3-2 road victory.
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
At Honda Center, Anaheim, California:
Pavel Doroleyev scored the winning goal at 4:10 of overtime as the Vegas Golden Knights defeated the homestanding Anaheim Ducks 3-2 in game five of their conference semifinal series.
With a three-games-to-one series lead, the Golden Knights can wrap up the series with a game-six home victory on Thursday (6:30 PM PDT, TNT, TruTV, HBO Max).
At Target Center, Minneapolis:
In the lone NBA Playoff Tuesday contest, Victor Wembanyama scored 27 points and pulled in 17 rebounds as the San Antonio Spurs upended the homestanding Minnesota Timberwolves 126-97 in game five of their Western Conference semifinal series.
The Spurs, now up three games to two, can close out this series with a game-six home victory on Friday at 5:00 PM PDT on NBC and Peacock.
At Grand Casino Arena, St. Paul, Minnesota:
In the lone Monday Stanley Cup Playoff contest, Nazim Kadri (power play), Ross Cotton, Parker Kelly, Nathan MacKinnon (empty net), and Brock Nelson (empty net) each scored once as the Colorado Avalanche took care of the homestanding Minnesota Wild 5-2 in game four of their Western Conference semifinal series.
With the Avalanche now up three games to one, they can wrap up the series with a home win back in Denver on Wednesday at 7:00 PM Pacific Time (TNT/TruTV/HBO Max)
Two games were played on Monday as the NBA Playoffs continued.
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
At Rocket Arena, Cleveland:
Donovan Mitchell scored 43 points while James Harden added 24 (to go with his 11 assists) as the Cleveland Cavaliers leveled their conference semifinal series with the Detroit Pistons at two games apiece after their 112-103 home win.
Caris LeVert led Detroit with 24 points off the bench while Cade Cunningham added 19.
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
At Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander popped in 35 points and dished out eight assists as the Oklahoma City Thunder completed a four-game conference semifinal series sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers with a 115-110 road win.
Ajay Mitchell added 28 points to the OKC cause.
Austin Reaves led Los Angeles with 27 points while Rui Hachimura added 25, and LeBron James, in what might have been his final NBA game (that to be determined at a future date) popped in 24 while grabbing 12 rebounds.
The Thunder will host the opening game of the Western Conference Final against the San Antonio-Minnesota series (currently tied at two games apiece) with the date and time to be determined (NBC/Peacock).
Two more Sunday games were played in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
At Bell Centre, Montreal:
The Montreal Canadiens, with two power-play goals (one each from Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky, both taking place in the second period), defeated the visiting Buffalo Sabres 6-2 to take a two-games-to-one conference semifinal series lead.
Alex Newhook scored twice for Les Habitants.
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
At Honda Center, Anaheim, California:
Bennett Sennecke (power play), Mikael Granlund, Alex Killorn (power play), and Ian Moore each scored once as the Anaheim Ducks leveled their conference semifinal series with the Vegas Golden Knights at two games apiece after their 4-3 home victory.
The NBA Playoffs resumed on Sunday with two games.
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
At Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia: Miles McBride scored 25 points while Jalen Brunson added 22 as all five starters scored in double-digits as the New York Knickerbockers competed a four-game sweep of their conference semifinal series by manhandling the host Philadelphia 76ers 144-114.
Next up for the Knicks, the Eastern Conference Final against the winner of the Detroit-Cleveland series (which Detroit leads two games to one). Opening date, time, and network and/or streaming service to be determined.
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
At Target Center, Minneapolis:
Anthony Edwards scored 36 points as the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the visiting San Antonio Spurs 114-109 to square their conference semifinal series at two games apiece. Six Wolves, including all five starters, scored in double-figures.
As for San Antonio, D'Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper (off the bench) each scored 24 points while Stephon Castle added 20. Meanwhile, Victor Yembanyama was ejected for the first time in his NBA career in the second quarter for elbowing Minnesota's Naz Reid.
Two games were contested on Saturday in the Stanley Cup Playoffs' second round.
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
At Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia:
Jackson Blake scored twice, including the game----and series-winning goal at 5:31 of overtime as the Carolina Hurricanes finished off the visiting Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 at win their conference semifinal series in four straight games.
The Canes will face the winner of the Montreal-Buffalo series (currently deadlocked at one game apiece) with date, time, and network yet to be determined.
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
At Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, Minnesota:
Kirill Kaprizov, Quinn Hughes (power play), Ryan Hartman (power play), Brock Faber, and Matt Boldy (empty net) each scored once while Jesper Wallstedt saved 35 of 36 shots as the Minnesota Wild defeated the visiting Colorado Avalanche 5-1 in game three of their conference semifinal series.
This cut Colorado's series advantage to two games to one.
The NBA Playoffs continued on Saturday with two games.
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
At Rocket Arena, Cleveland:
Donovan Mitchell scored 35 points and pulled in ten rebounds as the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the visiting Detroit Pistons 116-109, ending Detroit's five-game playoff winning streak.
The Cavaliers have cut the Pistons' conference semifinal series lead to two games to one.
James Harden scored 19 points to help the Cleveland cause.
Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 27 points, while grabbing 10 rebounds and dishing out 10 assists for his second career playoff triple-double (Detroit has now lost both of those games). Tobias Harris added 21 points.
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
At Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles:
Ajay Mitchell scored 24 points and dished out ten assists while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 23 points (to go with nine assists) as the Oklahoma City Thunder proved too much for the visiting Los Angeles Lakers 131-108.
Rui Hachimura paced the Lakers with 21 points while LeBron James added 19, to go with his eight assists.
The Thunder, now leading their series three games to none, can finish off Los Angeles and advance to their second straight conference final with a game-four road victory on Monday at 7:30 PM Pacific Time on Prime Video.
The second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs continued on Thursday and Friday:
Thursday's Game:
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
At Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia:
Jordan Staal and Andrei Svechnikov each scored a power-play goal while Jalen Chatfield added a shorthanded tally and Nikolaj Ehlers added an even-straight goal as the Carolina Hurricanes outdistanced the hosts Philadelphia Flyers 4-1 in game three of their conference semifinal series.
The Canes will go for the four-game sweep on Saturday in Philadelphia at 3:00 PM Pacific Time over TNT, TruTV, and HBO Max.
Friday's Games:
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
At KeyBank Center, Buffalo, New York:
Alex Newhook scored twice while goalie Jakob Dobes saved 28 of 29 shots as the Montreal Canadiens squared their conference semifinal series with the Buffalo Sabres at one game apiece with a 5-1 game-two road win.
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
At Honda Center, Anaheim, California:
It was a hat trick for Mitch Mamer (who counted a power-play goal amongst the scores) as the Vegas Golden Knights regained home-ice advantage after their 6-2 road win over the Anaheim Ducks for a two-games-to-one conference semifinal series lead.
The NBA Playoffs continued on Thursday and Friday.
Thursday's Games:
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
At Little Caesars Arena, Detroit:
Cade Cunningham scored 25 points and dished out 10 assists as the Detroit Pistons won their fifth straight playoff game, 107-97 over the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers to stretch their conference semifinal series lead to two games to none.
Tobias Harris added to the Detroit cause with 21 points.
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 31 points while Jarrett Allen added 22.
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
At Paycom Center, Oklahoma City:
Chet Holmgren (nine rebounds) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander each scored 22 points while Ajay Mitchell added 20 as the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the visiting Los Angeles Lakers 125-107 to build up a two-games-to-none conference semifinal series advantage.
Austin Reaves scored 31 points to lead the Lakers while LeBron James added 23.
Friday's Games:
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
At Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia:
Jalen Brunson scored 33 points and dished off nine assists as the New York Knickerbockers again defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, this time on the road, 108-94.
Mikal Bridges added 23 points to the Knicks' cause.
Kelly Oubre, Jr. led the Sixers with 22 points and grabbed eight rebounds. All five of Philadelphia's starters each scored in double-figures.
The Knickerbockers, up three games to none in their conference semifinal series, will go for the four-game sweep of the Sixers on Sunday at 12:30 PM Pacific Time on ESPN in the City of Brotherly Love on Mother's Day.
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
At Target Center, Minneapolis:
Victor Wembanyama scored 39 points and grabbed 15 rebounds as the San Antonio Spurs reclaimed home-court advantage after defeating the homestanding Minnesota Timberwolves in game three of their conference semifinal series 115-108.
Anthony Edwards paced Minnesota with 33 points and 14 rebounds.
Two games were contested on Wednesday as the second round of the Stanley Cup resumed.
EASTERN CONFERECE:
At KeyBank Center, Buffalo, New York:
Josh Doan, Ryan McLeod (power play), Jordan Greenway, and Bowen Byram (power play) each scored once as the Buffalo Sabres took the measure of the visiting Montreal Canadiens 4-2 in the opening game of their conference semifinal series.
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
At T-Mobile Arena. Paradise, Nevada:
Beckett Sennecke, Leo Carlsson, and Jansen Harkins (empty net) each popped in a goal while Lukas Dostal saved 21 of 22 shots (he was six seconds from posting a shutout) as the Anaheim Ducks squared their conference semifinal series at one game apiece (and seized home-ice advantage) by defeating the Vegas Golden Knights 3-1.
The NBA Playoffs continued with two Wednesday games.
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
At Madison Square Garden, New York City:
Jalen Brunson scored 26 points while OG Anunoby added 24 and Karl-Anthony Townes 20 (to go with ten rebounds) as the New York Knicks took a two-games-to-none conference semifinal series advantage after their 108-102 victory over the visiting Philadelphia 76ers.
Tyrese Maxey paced the Sixers with 26 points while Paul George added 19.
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
At Frost Bank Center, San Antonio:
Stephon Castle scored scored 21 points while Victor Wembenyama added 19 points (to go with 15 rebounds) as the San Antonio Spurs evened their conference semifinal series at one game apiece after turning the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves into road kill, 133-95, with six players, including all five starters, scoring in double-figures.
Julius Randle, Jarden McDaniels, Terrance Shannon, Jr., and Anthony Edwards (off the bench), each scored 12 points for Minnesota.
At Ball Arena, Denver:
Five different goal scorers--Martin Necas, Gabriel Landeskog (power play), Nicholas Roy, Nathan MacKinnon (power play), and Valeri Nichushkin (empty net) each scored once as the Colorado Avalanche extended their Western Conference semifinal series lead over the visiting Minnesota Wild (two games to none) with a 5-2 victory in Tuesday's lone Stanley Cup Playoff game.
The NBA Playoffs continued on Tuesday with two playoff games.
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
At Little Caesars Arena, Detroit:
Cade Cunningham scored 23 points while Tobias Harris added 20 (with eight rebounds) as the Detroit Pistons took the opening game of their conference semifinal series, 111-101 over the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers.
Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 23 points while James Harden added 22 (to go with eight rebounds).
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
At Paycom Center, Oklahoma City:
Chet Holmgren scored 24 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as the Oklahoma City Thunder overpowered the visiting Los Angeles Lakers 108-90 in game one of their conference semifinal series.
Los Angeles was led by LeBron James' 27 points.
The Stanley Cup Playoffs continued on Sunday and Monday.
Sunday's Games:
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
At Benchmark International Arena, Tampa, Florida:
Alex Newhook scored the game-winning third-period goal while goalie Jakob Dobes saved 28 of 29 shots as the Montreal Canadiens knocked off the hosts Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 and won their conference quarterfinal series four games to three.
The Habs will open their conference semifinal series with the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday on the road at 4:00 PM Pacific Time (TNT, TruTV, HBO Max).
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
At Ball Arena, Denver:
Cale Makar scored twice in the third period as the Colorado Avalanche outgunned the visiting Minnesota Wild 9-6 in a goal-filled opening game of their conference semifinal series.
Monday's Games:
EASTERN CONFERECE:
At Lenovo Center, Raleigh, North Carolina:
Taylor Hall scored the game winner at 18:54 of overtime as the Carolina Hurricanes came back from two goals down to upend the visiting Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 and take a two-games-to-none conference semifinal series advantage.
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
At T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada:
Brett Howden, Ivan Barbashev, and Mitch Mamer (empty net) each tallied once while Carter Hart saved 33 of 34 shots as the Vegas Golden Knights took game one of their conference semifinal series 3-1 over the visiting Anaheim Ducks.
The NBA Playoffs continued on Sunday and Monday.
Sunday's Games:
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
At Little Caesars Arena, Detroit:
Cade Cunningham scored 32 points and dished out 12 assists as the Detroit Pistons defeated the visiting Orlando Magic 116-94 in the seventh and deciding game of their conference quarterfinal series.
Tobias Harris helped Detroit's cause with 30 points and nine rebounds.
Paolo Banchero led Orlando with 38 points and nine rebounds.
In the aftermath of blowing a three-games-to-one series lead and bowing out of the conference quarterfinals in each of the past three season, the Magic dismissed head coach Jamahl Mosley on Monday morning.
At Rocket Arena, Cleveland:
Jarrett Allen (with 19 rebounds) and Donovan Mitchell each scored 22 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the visiting Toronto Raptors 114-102 to win their conference quarterfinal series in seven games.
James Harden helped the Cleveland cause with 18 points.
Scottie Barnes led the Raptors with 24 points while RJ Barrett added 23.
The Cavaliers will face the Detroit Pistons in an Eastern Conference semifinal series, starting on Tuesday in the Motor City at 4:00 PM Pacific Time and streamed on Peacock.
Monday's Games:
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
At Madison Square Garden, New York:
In the opening game of a conference semifinal series, Jalen Brunson scored 35 points as the New York Knickerbockers ran roughshod over the visiting Philadelphia 76ers 137-98.
Paul George paced the Sixers with 17 points, as Philadelphia got slaughtered despite all five starters scoring in double-digits.
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
At Frost Bank Center, San Antonio:
Julius Randle scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as the Minnesota Timberwolves upended the homestanding San Antonio Spurs 104-102 in game one of their conference semifinal series.
Anthony Edwards came off the bench to help the Wolves' cause with 18 points.
Dylan Harper came off the bench to lead the Spurs with 18 points while Julian Champagnie and Stephon Castle each added 17.
For the record, San Antonio's Victor Yembanyama registered a triple-double(15 points, 15 rebounds, 12 blocked shots).
At Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky:
A 23-1 shot, Golden Tempo, came all the way from last place, to win the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby, with jockey Jose Ortiz aboard, won the annuary Run For The Roses on Saturday.
Cherie DeVaux became the first female trainer to win the Derby.
For the record, Renegade finished second and Ocelli finished third.
No word as to whether Golden Tempo will race in the May 16 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Track in Baltimore.
At Lenovo Center, Raleigh, North Carolina:
The Saturday's lone Stanley Cup Playoff match, Logan Stankoven scored twice while goalie Frederik Andersen saved all 19 shots for the shutout as the Carolina Hurricanes blanked the visiting Philadelphia Flyers 3-0 in the opening game of their Eastern Conference semifinal series.
At TD Garden, Boston:
In the lone Saturday NBA Playoff game, Joel Embiid scored 34 points and pulled in 12 rebounds while Tyrese Maxey added 30 points while grabbing 11 rebounds as the Philadelphia 76ers knocked off the Boston Celtice109-100 to win the seventh and deciding game of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series.
Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 33 points (nine rebounds) while Derrick White added 26.
The 76ers will take on the New York Knicks in a conference semifinal series, set to open on Monday at Madison Square Garden at 5:00 PM PDT on NBC/Peacock.
Three games were decided on Friday with the continuation of the Stanley Cup Playoffs:
EASTERN CONFERECE:
At Bell Centre, Montreal:
Gage Goncalves scored the game's lone goal at 9:03 of overtime as the Tampa Bay Lightning squared their conference quarterfinal series with the homestanding Montreal Canadiens 1-0 to square this series at three games apiece.
This series will be decided in Tampa on Sunday at 3:00 PM (TNT, TruTV, HBO Max). The winner would face the Buffalo Sabres in a conference semifinal series.
At TD Center, Boston:
Alex Tuch, Mattias Samuelsson, Zach Benson, and Josh Norris (empty net) each tallied once as the Buffalo Sabres posted a 4-2 road win over the Boston Bruins to win their opening-round series four games to two.
For the Sabres, it marks their first playoff series victory since 2007.
Buffalo will face the winner of the Tampa Bay-Montreal series, which is currently deadlocked at three games apiece.
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
At Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah:
Mitch Mamer scored twice (once on the power play) as the Vegas Golden Knights, on the road, overpowered the Utah Mammoth 5-1 to win their series four games to two.
Carter Hart saved 22 of 23 Utah shots.
The Golden Knights will take on the Anaheim Ducks in a conference semifinal series, opening at the T-Mobile Arena in suburban Paradise, Nevada, with date, time, and network and/or streaming service to be determined.
The Ducks won all three regular-season games amongst the clubs.
Three games were contested on Friday as the NBA Playoffs continued.
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
At Kia Center, Orlando, Florida:
Cade Cunningham scored 32 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as the Detroit Pistons came from behind (they were down 22 points at halftime) to upend the hosts Orlando Magic 93-79.
Tobias Harris added 22 points and ten rebounds to the Detroit cause.
Paulo Banchero (with ten rebounds) and Desmond Bane each scored 17 points to lead Orlando.
This conference quarterfinal-round series, now deadlocked at three games apiece, will be decided on Sunday in Detroit at 12:30 PM Pacific Time on ABC.
At Scotiabank Arena, Toronto:
Scottie Barnes scored 25 points(with 14 assists) while RJ Barrett (who pulled in nine rebounds and scored the game-winning basket in overtime) and Ja'Kobe Walker each added 24 as the Toronto Raptors upended the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers 112-110 in game six of their conference quarterfinal series, deadlocking it at tree games piece.
Evan Mobley scored 26 points (while grabbing 14 rebounds) and Donovan Mitchell added 24 to pace the visitors.
The series will be decided on Sunday in Cleveland at 4:30 PM Pacific Time on NBC/Peacock.
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
At Toyota Center, Houston:
LeBron James scored 28 points (with seven rebounds and eight assists) as the Los Angeles Lakers finally closed out the homestanding Houston Rockets 98-78 to win their conference quarterfinal series four games to two.
Rui Hachimura helped the Lakers with 21 points.
Amen Thompson led the Rockets with 18 points while grabbing eight rebounds. Alperen Sengun added 17 points to go with 11 rebounds.
Next up for Los Angeles, a conference semifinal series with the top Western Conference seed (and defending NBA champs) Oklahoma City Thunder, with the opening game at OKC's Paycom Center this coming Tuesday at 5:30 PM Pacific Time on NBC/Peacock.
Two games were contested on Thursday as the Stanley Cup Playoffs continued.
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
At Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, Minnesota:
Matt Boldy scored a pair of empty-net goals as the Minnesota Wild defeated the visiting Dallas Stars 5-2 and won their opening-round series four games to two.
The Wild will next face the Colorado Avalanche in a conference semifinal series, starting in Denver, with date, time, and network/streaming series to be determined.
At Honda Center, Anaheim, California:
Ryan Poehling, Chris Kreider, Cutter Gauthier (power play), Troy Terry, and Leo Carlsson (empty net) each scored once as the Anaheim Ducks closed out the Edmonton Oilers 5-2 to win their conference quarterfinal series four games to two.
The Ducks will next take on the winner of the Vegas Golden Knights-Utah Mammoth series, in which Vegas leads three games to two.
The NBA Playoffs continued on Thursday with three game.
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
At State Farm Arena, Atlanta:
O.G. Anunoby scored 29 points while Mikal Bridges added 24 as the New York Knicks, with all five starters scoring in double-digits, made fried chicken of the visiting Atlanta Hawks 140-89 in game six of their conference quarterfinal series and won it four games to two.
Jalen Johnson paced the Hawks with 21 points while pulling in eight rebounds.
The Knicks will take on the winner of the Boston-Philadelphia series, deadlocked at three games and to decided on Saturday.
At Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia:
Tyrese Maxey scored 30 points while Paul George added 23, and Joel Embiid contributed 19 (to go with ten rebounds and eight assists) as the Philadelphia 76ers squared their series with the Boston Celtics at three games apiece with a 106-93 home victory. All five starters scored in double-figures for the Sixers.
Jaylen Brown led the Beantowners with 18 points while Jayson Tatum added 17, to go with his 11 rebounds.
The series, and the right to face the New York Knicks in a conference semifinal series, will be decided on Saturday at 4:30 PM Pacific Time on NBC/Peacock.
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
At Target Center, Minneapolis:
Jaden McDaniels scored 34 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as the Minnesota Timberwolves eliminated the visiting Denver Nuggets 110-98 to win their conference quarterfinal series four games to two.
Terrance Shannon, Jr. added 24 points to the Wolves' cause.
Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 28 points, along with 10 assists and nine rebounds. Cameron Johnson added 27, to go with his eight rebounds.
The Timberwolves will face the San Antonio Spurs in a Western Conference semifinal series, starting this coming Monday at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas (time and network/streaming service to be determined).
