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OKC stays in moment; challengers are ready

Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander doesn’t sound all that excited about the idea of becoming a back-to-back NBA champion. That might seem strange. It’s not. It’s just who the Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder are. They live in the present. They try not to skip steps or waste energy on things out of their control. The Thunder — the NBA’s defending champions and No. 1 overall seed in this year’s playoffs, which open on Saturday — just keep things simple and see how things work out. And that’s why, to the reigning NBA MVP and NBA Finals MVP in ...

Brazilian great Oscar Schmidt dies at age 68

SAO PAULO — Oscar Schmidt, the Basketball Hall of Famer whom his Brazil compatriots know as the “Holy Hand,” died on Friday. He was 68. Schmidt’s family said in a statement that he fought a brain tumor for 15 years “with courage, dignity and resilience . . . while remaining a role model of determination, generosity and love of life.” “Oscar leaves a legacy that transcends sport and inspires generations of athletes and admirers in Brazil and worldwide.” Earlier, Hospital e Maternidade Municipal Santa Ana in the city of Santana de Parnaiba, outside metropolis Sao Paulo, ...

Chandler, Cruz lead the way for Bucs

PITTSBURGH — Oneil Cruz hit a two-run home run, Brandon Lowe went 3 for 5 with two doubles and two RBIs, and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat Tampa Bay 5-1 on Friday night to snap the Ray’s six-game win streak. Bubba Chandler (1-1) allowed a run and three hits over six innings. Mason ...

Stanley Cup playoffs by the numbers

The NHL playoffs begin Saturday with three series, followed by four more getting underway Sunday and the last opening on Monday night. The only certainty is that there won’t be a three-peat, since the back-to-back champion Florida Panthers did not make the 16-team field. Here’s a by the ...

Real intrigue begins at No. 2 in draft

Fernando Mendoza will get a chance to learn from Kirk Cousins before the Las Vegas Raiders give him an opportunity to start. The only question surrounding the Heisman Trophy winner is when he’ll make his debut. Mendoza, who led Indiana to its first national championship, is an overwhelming ...

Steelers draft capsule: Offensive line

The following is the fourth of seven Pittsburgh Steelers position-by-position analyses for the 2026 NFL Draft, which begins Thursday in Pittsburgh: CENTERS Current roster: Zach Frazier, Ryan McCollum Last five drafts: Kendrick Green (third round, 2021) failed in the Steelers’ attempt to ...