The Oklahoma City Thunder thrashed the Minnesota Timberwolves 114-88 to earn a statement win at home in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. Minnesota ended a hard-fought but shoddy first half with a four-point lead, but a second-half blitz from the Thunder, who outscored their opponents by 30 points across the third and fourth quarters, blew the Timberwolves away. After a rough start offensively – a theme throughout the team – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 20 of his game-high 31 points in the second half to lead the Thunder to the win, also adding five rebounds, nine assists and three steals. “We try to play to our identity,” Gilgeous-Alexander, who missed 11 of his 13 shots in the first half, told reporters. “We did a good job of that on defense. Our defense definitely gave us life early in the game and kept us in it. “I was just out there being aggressive, trying to get to my spots; obviously, it wasn’t falling like it usually does and I would like it to, but that’s part of the game. “Nothing really changed in my mindset (in the second half). I just tried to continue to be aggressive, continue to trust my work and it worked out for me.” OKC coach Mark Daigneault said it was a “major victory” to only be down by four points at the break after such a poor first half from his team. “The defense was a huge catalyst in that,” he added. “I just thought it took us a second to calibrate to the opponent, but our defense allowed us the margin to do that.” Jalen Williams, who continues his rapid NBA ascension, had 19 points, eight rebounds, five assists and five steals, while Chet Holmgren added 15 points. The Thunder’s relentless defense stifled the Timberwolves, especially in the second half, and limited Minnesota superstar Anthony Edwards to a meager 18 points on 5-of-13 shooting. Julius Randle continued his impressive postseason form with a team-high 28 points – including 5-of-6 from three – to go with eight rebounds, though he scored just eight of those points in the second half. “I definitely got to shoot more,” Edwards said postgame. “I took 13 f**king shots, but I’ll say probably just get off the ball a little more. Play without the ball. “I think that would be the answer because, playing on the ball, they’re just going to double and sit in the gaps all day. So I’ve got to go watch some film and take it apart – we’ll figure it out.” With less than a minute remaining in the first quarter, Edwards was forced to head to the locker room for treatment after rolling his right ankle on a drive to the basket. However, he returned and played the rest of the game, telling reporters that it didn’t affect him in the second half. Game 2 will be played in Oklahoma City on Thursday.

Magnus Carlsen is vastly successful against just one opponent. And even when he came up against many more, the Norwegian showed he can hold his own. The five-time world chess champion was competing in the ‘Magnus vs. The World’ competition – an online chess match which allowed the public to test themselves against arguably the greatest player of all time. And after 46 days competing, the contest – the largest online chess game ever held, according to Chess.com – ended in a draw after 32 moves when the public forced a threefold repetition in a queen endgame to earn a half-point for either side. “Overall, the World has played very, very sound chess,” Carlsen told Chess.com as the game came to a close. “Kind of from the start, maybe not going for the most enterprising options, but keeping it in the vein of normal chess. It’s not always the best strategy, but it seemed like it worked fine this time.” The format meant that each side had 24 hours to make a move. After Carlsen made his opening gambit, Team World voted on what it would do next. The public was aided in its endeavor by a panel of five coaches, including WGM Dina Belenkaya, NM Dane Mattson, IM David “Divis” Martinez, IM David Pruess and GM Benjamin Bok. The event shattered the records for participation in a online chess game, passing the previous record of 70,000 set for the ‘Vishy vs. The World’ last year. When ‘Magnus vs. The World’ began on April 4, 100,000 had signed up with that number rising to 143,000 over the course of the game. According to Chess.com, there were 508,000 votes cast and more than 30,000 forum comments posted over the six weeks of competition. “I’m thrilled to see the incredible reception and enthusiasm from the community,” Sam Copeland, Chess.com’s head of community, said afterwards. “This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for players of all levels to suggest, discuss, and debate their chess ideas in competition with the greatest chess player of all time. The coordination and collaboration among the players were impressive, and we are deeply grateful to Magnus for his participation in the match.”

Caitlin Clark maintained her hot start to the new WNBA season on Tuesday – making history in the process – but the Indiana Fever fell to their first defeat of the 2025 season against the Atlanta Dream, 91-90. Rhyne Howard made a go-ahead free throw with 9.1 seconds remaining to help the Dream eke out the victory over the Fever as Indiana’s late rally fell short at a raucous Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, which had two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson and 2021 NASCAR champion Kyle Larson in attendance. Indiana trailed 76-65 at the start of the fourth quarter but showed incredible spirit to claw its way back into the game. The Fever’s comeback was sparked by two deep three-pointers from Clark before a free throw from Aaliyah Boston – who finished with 24 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks – with 21.7 seconds left gave the team a 90-89 lead, their first since going up 2-0 in the opening moments of the contest. But the Dream were able to get in front once again through Howard and Indiana’s Natasha Howard had two chances to snatch a late win, but had one shot blocked and another bounce off the rim. Clark had a game-high 27 points while also adding five rebounds, 11 assists and two steals. In doing so, the second-year point guard set a record for the most 25-point, 10-assist games in WNBA history, passing three-time All-Star Sabrina Ionescu, per ESPN. Having opened the season with a victory, the Fever fall to 1-1 on the young season, but Clark afterwards said the loss will help Indiana in the long run. “Yes, this stinks. We wanted to win this game, but this is great for our team,” Clark said. “A little adversity – how are we going to respond? We have a chance to go there and play them (again). We can get a little redemption if we go down there and play well. “I have to give my team a lot of credit; we never gave up. We found a way to get back in it.” Indiana’s Mitchell, however, was critical of the Fever’s performance against the Dream. “Today, we failed miserably as a group because there were certain things set in stone for us to be effective from quarter one to quarter four,” Mitchell said. “And you guys didn’t see what it was supposed to look like until quarter three-and-a-half. “So it kinds of just lies in the discipline right now … awareness, knowing personnel. Certain stuff we have to home in on to be successful. Our lulls were too low. They can’t be that low. We don’t have that margin for error.” Indiana’s Kelsey Mitchell had 24 points while Atlanta were led on the night by Brittney Griner who put up 21 points and eight rebounds. Howard added 20 points and Brionna Jones had 19 points and 13 rebounds for the Dream. The two teams take to the court again on Thursday night in Atlanta’s State Farm Arena.

Chinese swimmer Yu Zidi has been described as a “sensation” after producing the fastest ever time by a 12-year-old in the 200-meter individual medley. Yu clocked a time of 2:10.63 at the Chinese National Championships in Shenzen on Sunday, finishing second behind two-time Olympic bronze medalist Yu Yiting. The time would have seen the younger Yu qualify for the semifinals at last year’s Paris Olympics and took almost two seconds off her personal best. “12-year-old sensation alert!” World Aquatics posted on X. “Yu Zidi just swam a blazing 2:10.63 in the women’s 200m IM at the Chinese Nationals – the fastest ever time by a 12-year-old.” Yu, who turns 13 in October, missed out on qualifying for the Paris Olympics but could earn a spot on China’s team for the upcoming World Aquatics Championships in Singapore in July, per Reuters. She followed up her stellar 200m IM performance with a second-place finish in the 200m butterfly semifinals, finishing in 2:08.52 and qualifying for Wednesday’s final. The Chinese National Championships began on May 17 and are set to conclude on May 24.

NFL owners voted on Tuesday to allow players in the league to participate in the flag football competition at the upcoming 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The proposal said that no more than one player from each team could participate in the event – which is making its Olympic debut as a sport in the City of Angels – as well as providing support for those players involved, including injury protection and salary cap credit. “It’s an incredible honor for any athlete to represent their country in the Olympics, which is the pinnacle of global sport,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “I know first-hand that the inclusion of flag football in the Olympics has sparked a tremendous amount of excitement among NFL players interested in the chance to compete for their country on the world stage. We are thrilled that they will now have that chance.” In order to pass any motion, there needs to be a 75% majority in favor of the rule change among NFL owners, with 24 out of 32 votes needed. Goodell told reporters that the owners voted unanimously in support of letting NFL players participate. The league will work with the players union, International Federation of American Football and relevant Olympic governing bodies on rules for the participation of NFL players. Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson said he was lost for words after hearing the news that he could potentially have the chance to play in the Olympic Games. “To think about the chances of playing in the Olympics and getting a gold medal is a dream,” Jefferson told reporters at a press conference on Tuesday alongside Goodell, Vikings linebacker Brian Asamoah II, NFL EVP of football operations Troy Vincent and EVP of club business and league events Peter O’Reilly. “Just reverting back to being a kid and watching the track and field meets, watching basketball win the gold medal. That’s something that as a kid I always wanted to be a part of, but football wasn’t globally. So now that we’re expanding the game and we’re going more globally it’s pretty cool.” The Vikings star added that being able to say you’re the best in the world is also an incentive behind playing in the 2028 Summer Olympics. The Olympic flag football competition will consist of six men’s and six women’s teams with 10 players each. The game will be five-on-five with the rest of the players serving as substitutes. “Players have expressed to us a great desire for the honor of competing in the Olympics, and we’re excited that our members will be able to represent their country on the highest international stage,” NFL Players Association executive director Lloyd Howell, Jr. said in a statement. “We look forward to working with the league, IFAF, and Olympic authorities on the terms of their participation to ensure players who compete will do so with protections to their health, safety, and job.” Since flag football was announced on the Olympic program, an increasing clamor has risen about letting NFL players take part. NFL players have been seen competing in flag football events in recent years, with the Pro Bowl adding a flag football game to its schedule in 2023. “The membership believes that participation by NFL players in flag football during the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California will support such growth and advance several league interests, including increasing fan and public interest in flag football, expanding the global reach of the NFL,” the proposal stated. Flag football is a non-contact version of the traditional game. According to the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), it is played by more than 20 million people in more than 100 countries. Instead of tackles, a player is stopped by removing one of the two flags attacked to the ball-carriers waist. Games are five-on-five, with no offensive or defensive lines, and teams able to field a 12-person squad to choose from. “I warmly welcome the outcome of this vote, which promises to add another dimension to what is already shaping up to be a game-changing debut for flag football at the Olympic Games,” IFAF President Pierre Trochet said in a statement. “The National Football League is home to the biggest stars in American football, who come from more and more countries, and now have the opportunity to shine on the greatest stage in world sport, showcasing everything that makes flag football a genuine worldwide phenomenon.” Given the focus on speed and elusiveness to evade opposition trying to grab flags, NFL players such as Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson or Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley could make for valuable editions to Team USA’s squad.

Simeon Rice has been announced as the next member of the Buccaneers’ Ring of Honor, but Buccaneers co-owner Bryan Glazer is lobbying for Rice to get an even greater recognition. Glazer called Rice “the missing piece to make our defense one of the greatest of all time” and said that the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s selectors have committed an oversight by not putting Rice in Canton. “From 1996 to 2005, he totaled a league-best 101.5 sacks over those eight years, more than Hall of Famers Michael Strahan and Jason Taylor,” Glazer said. “During that same stretch, his mark of eight seasons with double-digit sack totals is the seventh most in NFL history, and all six men ahead of him on that list are members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Simeon’s credentials for induction into our Ring of Honor are unquestioned, but he’s equally qualified and deserving of an overdue call from the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Notably, he’s the only retired player with 100 sacks over eight consecutive seasons who doesn’t own a Gold Jacket. It’s time to rectify that oversight.” Rice said getting into the Pro Football Hall of Fame while his parents were still alive would have meant a lot to him because of how much it would have meant to them, but that after his parents died he thought less about it. “That’s all that meant anything to me,” Rice said. “The only thing that mattered to me was playing football. I loved this game, and it’s how I celebrated my mother and father. And they’re not with me. . . . I’m just thinking about my mother and father.” The Cardinals drafted Rice out of Illinois with the third overall pick in 1996. After five seasons in Arizona, Rice signed with the Buccaneers in free agency in 2001 and spent six seasons with the Bucs. He then played briefly with the Broncos and Colts before retiring.

When the NFL schedule was released last week, one thing that stood out was that the Jaguars are set to play just one prime time game during the 2025 season. That was notable because they added Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter after trading up in the first round of the draft and because they have former first overall pick Trevor Lawrence at quarterback. Quarterbacks are central to the league’s marketing efforts and Lawrence actually appeared in advertising for the schedule release, but the lack of spotlight games illustrates the view that his career has not unfolded as many people thought it would. On Monday, Lawrence acknowledged that things have gone the wrong way for him and the Jaguars over the last couple of years while also expressing confidence in new head coach Liam Coen’s chances of getting Jacksonville back on track. “I really like the people we have here now,” Lawrence said, via the team’s website. “I love the system. I love the staff, the players that we brought in along with the guys that were already here. I feel very confident in where we’re going and the trajectory we’re heading. You can’t change the past. I would love to have had a little more success up until this point, but this is where we’re at, and I love where we’re at. I have a lot of confidence in it, and we just have to keep putting the work in out here every day to prepare ourselves for the fall.” The Jaguars signed Lawrence to a five-year extension before last season, so they are invested in seeing things get better as soon as possible for a player who entered the league with the expectation that he’d be a lot further along by this point in his career.

The push to have NFL players participate in flag football during the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles is reportedly set for a big step forward on Tuesday. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that a resolution allowing players to participate is expected to pass a vote of team owners during league meetings in Minneapolis. The resolution will need yes votes from 24 teams in order to pass. Under the terms of the proposal, no more than one player from each club would be able to participate with an exception for designated international players who would be able to play for their home countries. It also includes specifications for playing fields and injury protection under the salary cap for any player who might be injured during the competition. The NFL Players Association has already indicated its support for players participating in the Olympics, so an affirmative response in Tuesday’s vote would clear the path for a significant NFL presence in Los Angeles in July 2028.

Rule changes in recent years have made onside kicks extremely difficult to recover, but a proposed rule change to be voted on at this week’s league meeting may help give the kicking team a chance. The league is considering changing onside kick rules to make it easier for the kicking team to recover, adding language that restricts where players on the receiving team can line up for onside kick recovery. “The receiving team may have a maximum of three players in the setup zone not on the restraining line, but never more than one player in each of the three areas within the setup zone bordered by the sidelines and inbounds lines,” the new language says. That language is going to be confusing to most football fans, as the league’s new kickoff rules have introduced a new vocabulary that hasn’t caught on with the general public. But the gist is that the new rule is designed to spread out the receiving team and give the kicking team a better chance of placing an onside kick into an area where no one on the receiving team is waiting to recover it. Any restrictions on how the receiving team can line up on onside kicks will at least in theory give the kicking team a slightly better chance of recovering, but the reality is that even if this new rule passes, onside kicks will remain extremely hard for the kicking team to recover. Unless the NFL goes back to allowing the kicking team to line up as many players as they want on either side of the kicker, and allows those players to get a running start, don’t expect many onside kicks to succeed. And the NFL has no interest in doing that because of concerns that the old onside kick rules risked too many injuries from high-speed collisions in confined spaces. Another option would be adopting one of the onside kick alternatives that regularly get proposed, such as allowing the kicking team to put its offense back on the field, facing a fourth-and-15, and keep the ball if they convert. Such rules have led to some exciting late-game situations in minor football leagues, but so far those proposals have failed to generate significant support within the NFL. The league will also consider allowing the trailing team to try an onside kick at any point in the game. Under the current rules, which were adopted last year, onside kicks may only be attempted in the fourth quarter.

Angel Reese on Tuesday praised the WNBA for taking up an investigation into alleged abuse aimed at the Chicago Sky player and the way the league and her team have had her back. The WNBA said it was investigating reports of abuse directed towards the second-year forward during Chicago’s loss to the Indiana Fever on Saturday. “Obviously there’s no place in this league for that,” Reese said during media availability on Tuesday. “I think the WNBA and our team and our organization has done a great job supporting me.” Reese said she has received support from many people across the league following the incident and during the process of the investigation. “Obviously it’s tough, but I think I have a great support system. I’m loved by so many people and ,obviously, in the moment it is hard to hear, but my support system is great,” the 23-year-old added. “I’ve gone through so many different things in the past couple of years in my life, but I think just having the support and this love, and being a part of an organization that really supports me and loves me is something I just couldn’t imagine not being a part of.” Chicago Sky head coach Tyler Marsh gave credit to Reese with how she’s dealt with the process. “She’s handled it great. I mean, for her, it’s about basketball, so I think that’s where her mind is at and for us we want to be as locked in as possible to our game plan and what we want to do moving forward into Thursday,” Marsh said. “I mean, Angel’s a winner. Angel’s a competitor, and she wants to be there for her teammates and we’re certainly there for her as well.” Marsh added that all those at the franchise will be behind the star second-year player. “I think that we always want to be there to support each other no matter what we’re going through in our personal lives or professional lives. It’s the kind of environment that we want to create here. It’s who we want to be as individuals and who we want to be as teammates.” The WNBA said after the alleged incident that it “strongly condemns racism, hate, and discrimination in all forms,” while the Fever said they are helping the league with the investigation. Indiana’s star guard Caitlin Clark issued a similar message after a Fever practice on Monday. “There’s no place for that in our game, there’s no place for that in society,” Clark, the 2024 Rookie of the Year, told reporters after practice on Monday. “Certainly, we want every person who comes into our arena, whether player or fan, to have a great experience,” Clark added. “I appreciate the league doing that (the investigation). I appreciate that the Fever organization has been at the forefront of that since day one. The investigation we’ll leave up to them to find anything and take the proper action if so.” The Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky will play each other three more times during the regular season.