The middle Saturday saw the world No 1 in awesome form, as was the British No 1 in beating the teenage Brazilian
Make that 3-0. Sinner wants to get this one done, and perhaps get himself settled before the Champions League final later. He lands three break points for 4-0. And takes the second one.
Sinner, rangy and usually implacable, is already 2-0 up on Lehecka, who has never previously taken a set off him. This is awesome stuff, and already.
Yonatan Cohen’s 10th minute strike seals title for City
Here come the two sides along the AAMI Park race. Victory all in navy blue, City in sky blue shirts and white shorts. The past ten minutes or so have contained an elaborate son et lumière, culminating in club legends Leigh Broxham and Jamie Maclaren placing the A-League championship toilet seat onto a plinth.
Tonight’s team of officials is led by A-League referee of the year Adam Kersey. George Lakrindis and Emma Kockek will run the lines, Shaun Evans will bear the brunt of both coaches’ anger as the fourth official, with Lara Lee operating VAR.
The London Knights are headed back to the Memorial Cup Final for the second consecutive season.
Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan delivered a two-point performance Friday night, helping the London Knights punch their ticket to the 2025 Memorial Cup Final with a 5-2 win over the Moncton Wildcats in the semi-final.
The 20-year-old recorded a primary assist on London’s second goal, patiently holding the puck in the slot before finding captain Denver Barkey to give the Knights a 2-1 lead.
At 18:11 of the third period, Cowan added an empty-netter to seal the victory. It marked his second goal and sixth point of the tournament, giving him the outright scoring lead heading into Sunday’s final. The ‘Cowboy’ also tied for a game-high seven shots on goal in the win.
The victory sets up a rematch against the Medicine Hat Tigers, who handed London a 3-1 loss in their final round-robin game on Tuesday. That defeat remains the only contest where Cowan was held off the scoresheet in the tournament.
For the Knights, Sunday represents more than just a shot at revenge, it’s a chance at redemption.
Last year, London came up short in the Memorial Cup final, falling 4-3 to the Saginaw Spirit. The club had 13 returning players from that group back this season, with the goal of reaching the top this time around.
That drive has been on full display as the Knights steamrolled through the OHL Playoffs with a 16-1 record, never losing to the same opponent twice. Cowan, the first-round pick (28th overall) by the Maple Leafs in 2023, has been at the center of it all, registering an OHL-high 39 points (13G, 26A) in 17 postseason games this year.
London will need him at his best as they sit just one win away from finishing what they started in 2024, but taking down Medicine Hat won’t be easy.
The WHL champions are undefeated in the tournament and earned a berth in the final thanks to a flawless round-robin. However, it’s often said it’s hard to beat the same team twice, especially on a stage like this.
And the Knights have carried the weight of unfinished business all year. Now, they’ve got one more game to prove it.
Puck drop for the final is set to take place at 7:00 p.m. EST on Sunday in Rimouski.
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Ohtani will give them a chance in October regardless of what their roster looks like, just as he did on Friday night in an 8-5 victory over the New York Yankees.
How can a player who takes four or five at-bats on most nights have such an oversized influence on games? How can a player who bats once only two or three innings bring opponents to their knees? How can a three-time MVP be a better offensive player than he was in his historic 50-homer, 50-steal season last year?
When Aaron Judge homered in the top of the first, Ohtani answered with a homer of his own in the bottom half of the inning.
When the Dodgers were down by three runs, Ohtani led off the sixth inning with another homer, this one making Yankees starter Max Fried strike the Kershaw Pose, back to the plate, hands on knees, head down. The blast one ignited a four-run surge by the Dodgers that produced their first lead of the night.
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, left, watches his solo home run leave Dodger Stadium as New York Yankees starting pitcher Max Fried, center, reacts and catcher Austin Wells watches during the sixth inning Friday. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
Playing with a diminished roster, manager Dave Roberts did what he could before the game to downplay the significance of the World Series rematch against the Yankees, but Ohtani recognized the contest for what it was.
This was a statement game, and Ohtani made a statement.
“We try to win each and every game, of course, but I think it’s a special atmosphere [against the Yankees,]” Ohtani said in Japanese. “I think it was huge to have taken the [first game] of the series.”
The homers were Ohtani’s 14th and 15th of May, which tied a single-month franchise record previously shared by only Pedro Guerrero and Duke Snider. The homers were Ohtani’s 21st and 22nd of the season, meaning Ohtani is on pace for a career-high 63 bombs.
The value of Ohtani’s homers extend beyond the numbers, however.
“You don’t want to miss any of his at-bats,” Conforto said. “You want to be in the dugout. You want to see it in person. That’s kind of what it is being his teammate. You want to be there.”
They inspire confidence.
“Every time he comes up to the plate, we’re expecting something awesome to happen,” Gonsolin said. “And he doesn’t let us down a lot of the time. Really cool to have someone like that on our team.”
They inspire a contagious form of courage.
“He would probably say it’s like any other game, but I do think when you see the reigning MVP [Judge] on the other side going out there and performing, that brings out even more of a competitor in Shohei,” Roberts said.
They inspire victories — the Dodgers are 14-6 when Ohtani homers.
“We always seem to play really well when Shohei’s playing well,” first baseman Freddie Freeman said. “I heard the chants for MVP and he’s really well on his way to doing that again.”
This is what the Dodgers will need in October, especially in a season in which little has gone according to plan. At this point, they can’t count on Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow to both be healthy for the remainder of the year. They can’t expect their bullpen to be as spectacular as it was last year. But they can rely on Ohtani to make up for their shortcomings.
He will soon be able to affect the game from the mound, as the Dodgers expect him to return to pitching after the All-Star break. Rather than revel in the victory Friday night, Ohtani said in an on-field postgame interview with Apple TV that he was already looking ahead to his next day’s assignment.
“Live bullpen is scheduled for tomorrow,” Ohtani said. “The game is over now and I’d like to get my body in order for the live BP.”
ESPN's "Around the Horn" is ending after a 23-year run that featured sportwriters from across the nation sharing their thoughts. The format sounded simple, but it is what made it a success. Real-life sportswriters, who many no longer read, expounding real-life opinions became a novelty. As for L.A. Times' writer Bill Plaschke, thank you for always having Los Angeles' back, as spoken by local WNBA legend Diana Taurasi.
Wayne Muramatsu Cerritos
Bill Plaschke is proud of his time on "Around the Horn?" Twenty-three years of a smug, smarmy host, and a bunch of sportswriters desperate for sound bites and attention.
Another reason why ESPN and so-called sports commentary is currently unwatchable. He should apologize for reaching so low.
James L. Pearle Corona del Mar
Great article by Bill Plaschke regarding "Around the Horn." However, contrary to his claim that he "always stunk," because there were four panelists on each show, Plaschke’s winning percentage of 24.3% is just about what one would expect. Even Woody Paige — the Cy Young of ATH — had a lower winning percentage. Bill, thanks for so eloquently representing the City of Angels.
Ken Feldman Tarzana
Taylor-made treasure?
It's been said that one man's leftovers are another man's steak dinner. And that's all you need to know about the difference between the Dodgers organization and the Angels. Two days after the Dodgers released a washed-up Chris Taylor, he was starting in center field for the Angels. Nothing else needs to be said.
Bob Kargenian Yorba Linda
Heavenly duo
As Bill Shaikin writes, Angels announcers Wayne Randazzo and Mark Gubicza are great. As a long-suffering Angels fan, its a pleasure to at least be able to listen to them. Randazzo is particularly excellent. He doesn’t overdo the chatter like most do, is bright, witty, knowledgeable and subtly tells truths about the woeful team he covers. He is the best since Dick Enberg, who was one of the greatest ever.
Alvin S. Michaelson Marina Del Rey
Need more relief
Tanner Scott, a $72-million pitcher, has blown a third of his save opportunities this year. Eric Gagne, where are you?
Mike Schaller Temple City
I got excited about the Dodgers adding another former All-Star, Alexis Díaz, to their ravaged pitching staff, even more so upon learning he began this season on the IL. Seems like a perfect fit.
Steve Ross Carmel
Escape to Detroit
I think I know why Jack Flaherty left the Dodgers for Detroit in free agency: He didn't want to go on the IL.
Rhys Thomas Valley Glen
Resist temptation
The new flood of name, image and likeness money (NIL) is indeed sending high school sports into a “black hole” of misplaced priorities, as Eric Sondheimer’s column pointed out. The L.A. Times should do its part to resist this trend by ceasing coverage of sports at that vulnerable level.
Patrick Frank Venice
Battle of the exes
Former Lakers Alex Caruso, Julius Randle and Josh Hart all had deep runs in the 2025 playoffs. Next season, while the Lakers are on vacation, are we going to see Austin Reaves in the playoffs wearing another team’s uniform because the Lakers traded him while coddling an aged star?
I sure hope not.
Paul D. Ventura Mission Viejo
Still streaking
The defending champion L.A. Galaxy have started the MLS season with a 16-game winless streak?
Bill Plaschke must have picked them to repeat as champions.
John Schiermeier Valencia
The Los Angeles Times welcomes expressions of all views. Letters should be brief and become the property of The Times. They may be edited and republished in any format. Each must include a valid mailing address and telephone number. Pseudonyms will not be used.
Zion Williamson has been accused of two counts of rape from 2020 [Getty Images]
New Orleans Pelicans player Zion Williamson has been accused of rape in a civil lawsuit filed in Los Angeles.
The court filings state that Williamson, 24, is accused of two rapes, both in Beverly Hills in 2020.
The accuser is seeking damages for assault, sexual battery, domestic violence, burglary, stalking and false imprisonment.
The lawsuit describes the alleged abuse as "sexual, physical, emotional, and financial in nature".
Williamson - the first overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft - does not face criminal charges.
Williamson's attorneys released a statement describing the allegations as "categorically false and reckless", and said the NBA star's legal team would seek "significant damages for this defamatory lawsuit".
"This appears to be an attempt to exploit a professional athlete driven by a financial motive rather than any legitimate grievance," legal firm Barrasso-Usdin-Kupperman-Freeman & Sarver told US media.
The firm claim that Williamson previously reported the claimant to law enforcement over alleged extortion attempts.
Speaking to US media the woman's lawyer, Sam Taylor II, who is with the Lanier Law Firm in Los Angeles, said: "This is a very serious case as reflected in the allegations in the complaint, which are pretty detailed."
The New Orleans Pelicans have been approached for comment.
It’s Saturday, May 31, and the New York Knicks (51-31) and Indiana Pacers (50-32) are all set to square off from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Knicks won Game 5, 111-94, taking their first home game at home in the series and keeping themselves alive.
It's win or go home and Indiana is 1-1 at home so far in the series and will need a big game from Tyrese Haliburton or Pascal Siakam after combining for 15 points in the last game. Jalen Brunson led New York with 32 points in Game 5, while Karl-Anthony Towns posted 24 points and 13 rebounds.
The Knicks are currently 24-17 on the road with a point differential of 4, while the Pacers have a 8-2 record in their last ten games at home.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.
Game details & how to watch Knicks vs. Pacers live today
Date: Saturday, May 31, 2025
Time: 8:00PM EST
Site: Gainbridge Fieldhouse
City: Indianapolis, IN
Network/Streaming: TNT | truTV | Max
Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.
Game odds for Knicks vs. Pacers
The latest odds as of Saturday:
Odds: Knicks (+145), Pacers (-174)
Spread: Pacers -4
Over/Under: 219 points
That gives the Knicks an implied team point total of 108.68, and the Pacers 110.77.
Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!
Expert picks & predictions for Saturday’s Knicks vs. Pacers game
NBC Sports Bet Best Bet
Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) likes Jalen Brunson’s points prop and the Knicks to cover:
"While it might be repetitive or boring, I am going back to the well on Jalen Brunson Over 29.5 to 30.5 points. Brunson has been a money-maker to the Over, scoring 32, 31, 23, 36, and 43 points over this series — going 4-1 to the Over. In an elimination game with a chance for the NBA Finals, I see no reason to go Under.
I lean the Knicks to cover the +4 and keep this close as I gave out Knicks in 6 (+600) and the series to go to 7 games (+220) as a hedge, so with Knicks in 6 over, I need a Knicks victory in Game 6 to secure a profit."
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Knicks & Pacers game:
Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Indiana Pacers on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the New York Knicks at +4.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 219.
Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions pagefrom NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!
Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Knicks vs. Pacers on Saturday
The Pacers' average winning margin in 4 wins against the Knicks this season is +7
The Over is 35-31 in the Pacers' matchups against Eastern Conference teams this season
The Knicks are 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 road games
The New York Knicks kept the series alive with a convincing 111-94 victory in Game 5 but their Finals dream may be ended in Indiana, where the Pacers have won 18 of their last 20 home matchups against teams with worse records.
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:
- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD) - Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper) - Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) - Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
Comment: “The Champions League final is a jarring and stirring clash of styles in so many ways,” writes Jonathan Liew. “The relentless attack of Paris Saint-Germain and the relentless defence of Inter. One team built on the freehand wizardry of youth and one built on the weathered edifice of experience. Flying wingers against flying wing-backs, two strikers against none. But perhaps the biggest philosophical difference is between two radically different models of a football club itself: who it serves, what it can be, what constitutes success, and how to get there.”
Guardian Football Weekly podcast: Max Rushden was in the chair as the Football Weekly panel previewed tonight’s Champions League final. You can listen to our discussion here and if you’re not already a regular listener, what have you been doing for the past 19 years!?!? You can sign up for Football Weekly on all the usual podcast platforms.
The NSW Waratahs’ season of promise has ended in despair with an ugly, record-breaking 46-6 Super Rugby Pacific loss to the Blues in Auckland.
The Waratahs needed to defeat the defending champions for the first time at Eden Park in 16 years to keep their finals hopes alive. Instead, Dan McKellar’s depleted side copped a seven-tries-to-nil drubbing at New Zealand rugby’s burial ground on Saturday.
Team principal has turned Williams around in a short space of time and is looking to 2026 for a serious title charge
Finding themselves fighting off Ferrari and mauling the midfield, these are heady times for a resurgent Williams. The team principal James Vowles has engineered an extraordinary comeback but this year’s progress is likely to be just the start for a team determined to return to the heights of Formula One, which they once dominated.
That Williams’ form has changed drastically could not have been clearer than at the Miami GP. Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz were in a fight with the Ferraris of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, the Scuderia finding themselves at one point trying to catch Albon, who took fifth place and at the same time fending off a charging Sainz.
Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts will not play against the New York Yankees this weekend after sustaining a fractured toe. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts will not start in any of this weekend’s games against the New York Yankees after sustaining a fractured toe this week, but the team is hopeful he will be able to avoid a stint on the injured list.
Betts told the Times on Friday night that he fractured his toe at home this week, after the Dodgers returned from a road trip on Wednesday night.
“I was just going to the bathroom in the dark and hit my toe on a wall,” he said.
The Dodgers were originally still planning to have Betts in the lineup Friday for their series opener against the New York Yankees, but he was ultimately scratched after his toe continued to give him problems before the game.
Despite the diagnosis, Roberts and Betts said they were confident the former MVP wouldn’t be out more than a few days.
“I know it’s at the tip of his toe, so it’s going to be one of those situations [that is] per his [pain] tolerance,” Roberts said. “I don’t expect an IL. We’ll probably have him down for the series and hopefully he’ll be available to hit in a big spot. And then we’ll kind of see. But I think for me right now it’s just day to day.”
“It’s just pain,” Betts added. “Get the swelling out, it’ll be all right.”
Betts had started in each of the Dodgers' past 20 games, and appeared in each of their last 51 overall, having not missed any time since recovering from a two-week stomach virus at the start of the season.
While his defense had been much-improved during his second season as the club’s everyday shortstop, the 32-year-old was struggling at the plate, batting just .254 on the season with eight home runs, 31 RBIs and a .742 OPS.
In Betts’ absence on Friday, veteran Miguel Rojas took over at shortstop. Tommy Edman and Hyeseong Kim are also options to fill in for Betts at shortstop over the rest of the weekend.
“I’m gonna be all right,” Betts said. “It is what it is.”
Saigo leads at 8 under after six birdies in strong round
Korda shoots 67, tied second in best U.S. Open showing
Kim, Shibuno among six chasing as play halts at sunset
Mao Saigo already won her first major title this year. She’s putting herself in position for another at US Women’s Open.
Saigo shot a 6-under 66 on Friday to take second-round lead at Erin Hills. At 8-under 136, the 23-year-old Japanese player had a three-stroke advantage over a group of six led by top-ranked Nelly Korda.
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a solo home run off New York Yankees starting pitcher Max Fried during the sixth inning of an 8-5 Dodgers win Friday at Dodger Stadium. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
But, in the opening game of a World Series rematch at Chavez Ravine on Friday night, the Dodgers mounted a sixth-inning rally against the New York Yankees that carried its own profound importance.
The only real difference: They didn’t need the Yankees' help to do it.
Seven months to the day since the Dodgers’ historic comeback against the New York Yankees in last year’s World Series finale — when three Yankees errors keyed an infamous five-run fifth that propelled the Dodgers to their eighth championship in franchise history — the team produced an inning of similarly unexpected magic in the opener of this weekend’s Fall Classic rematch, scoring four times in the bottom of the sixth to turn a three-run deficit into an eventual 8-5 win at a sold-out Dodger Stadium.
The inning started with a Shohei Ohtani home run, his second of the night and MLB-leading 22nd of the season. It included a momentum-swinging double from Freddie Freeman, the MVP of last year’s Fall Classic reprising the role of Yankees killer again. What had once been a three-run New York lead officially evaporated when Andy Pages lined a tying single against a drawn-in infield. The Dodgers then went in front for the first time all night when Michael Conforto drew a bases-loaded walk three at-bats later, giving the Dodgers a lead they continued to add on.
For the Dodgers, nothing will compare to the ecstasy of last year’s fifth inning in Game 5; when a dropped ball from Aaron Judge, errant throw from Anthony Volpe and calamitous miscommunication between Gerrit Cole and Anthony Rizzo keyed the largest comeback in a title-clinching game in World Series history.
But, given the team’s sub-.500 play over the last three weeks, and a rash of injuries that got worse Friday when Mookie Betts was scratched with a toe problem and Evan Phillips was ruled out for the rest of the season because he'll need Tommy John surgery, Friday injected this trying stretch of the regular season with a sorely needed jolt of life.
For much of Friday, the Dodgers seemed headed to the kind of loss that had become commonplace over their 10-11 slide entering the night.
Their starting pitcher struggled, with Tony Gonoslin giving up four home runs in the first four innings — including a mammoth blast from Judge two batters into the game — to hand the Yankees a 5-2 lead.
Their lineup was struggling against a premium pitcher, putting major-league ERA leader Max Fried under little stress after an Ohtani homer to start the night.
And when the sixth inning began, there were few signs the tide was about to turn; the surging Yankees seemingly on a glide path to their 17th win in their last 21 games.
But then, as they did so many times during last year’s World Series, the Dodgers (35-22) flipped the script.
It started with Ohtani, the reigning National League MVP hitting a sky-high fly ball to right that just kept carrying for his 15th home run in the month of May (tying Pedro Guerrero in June 1985 and Duke Snider in August 1953 for the most in a single month in Dodgers history).
Then, the Dodgers just kept chipping away. Teoscar Hernández and Will Smith lined back-to-back singles. Freeman chased Fried from the game with an RBI double to left that got over Cody Bellinger’s head. Then, after the Yankees turned to right-hander Jonathan Loáisiga to face Pages, he hammered a ground ball single through a drawn-in infield to bring home the tying run.
A chess match ensued from there.
Tommy Edman hit into a fielder’s choice grounder in the next at-bat, but some heads-up baserunning by Freeman in a rundown between third base and home plate still got the team’s other two baserunners into scoring position.
With first base open, the Yankees intentionally walked Max Muncy, and summoned left-hander Tim Hill to face the left-handed hitting Conforto. But Conforto drew a full-count walk to plate the go-ahead score — giving the Dodgers their first lead of the night at 6-5.
The sixth inning ended on a Miguel Rojas double play. Yet, the Dodgers tacked on again in the seventh, when another double from Freeman set up Pages for a two-out, two-run single, Freeman racing home on his battered right ankle to score on a bang-bang play.
The Dodgers' bullpen, meanwhile, skirted danger a couple of times, throwing three scoreless innings after Gonsolin (who settled down after his early long ball struggles) got through the sixth.
Judge hit a one-out double against Jack Dreyer in the seventh, but Dreyer and fellow rookie Ben Casparius combined to get through the inning.
The Yankees put runners on the corners with two outs in the seventh against Casparius, but embattled closer Tanner Scott escaped it by getting pinch-hitter DJ LeMahieu to fly out.
Then, in the ninth, Alex Vesia atoned for the deciding three-run homer he surrendered in Cleveland on Wednesday by picking up his second save of the season — and securing one of the Dodgers’ most important, and unlikely, victories of the season.
