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Warriors outlast Grizzlies to lock up playoff berth
SAN FRANCISCO -- Jimmy Butler and Stephen Curry threw their arms around each other and embraced.
"Playoff Jimmy," in all his brilliance on the big stage, took the pressure off Curry, and now they're taking the Golden State Warriors to the playoffs.
"I know I want to win a championship, so he needs his, what, this would be No. 5?" Butler said.
Butler had 38 points, seven rebounds and six assists, creating opportunities on both ends at every chance. Curry scored 37, and the Warriors earned the seventh seed in the Western Conference by beating the Memphis Grizzlies 121-116 on Tuesday night in the play-in tournament.
Curry knocked down a baseline 3-pointer with 1:50 to go and one from the left wing with a minute on the clock then converted four free throws in the closing five seconds.
Golden State is now headed for a best-of-seven first-round series with the Rockets beginning on Sunday in Houston.
"It took 83 games but we're right where we want to be, which is back in the playoffs, and we've got a chance," Golden State coach Steve Kerr said.
After a pair of free throws by Curry with 5.4 seconds left, the Grizzlies had one last chance -- but Santi Aldama couldn't inbound the ball before a five-second violation.
Desmond Bane scored 30 points and Ja Morant 22 for Memphis, which will head home to play Friday against the winner of the Mavericks-Kings matchup Wednesday night in Sacramento to determine the eighth playoff spot.
With the Grizzlies on a roll midway through the third, Butler grabbed momentum back with a steal and dunk. He shot 12-for-20 in a second straight 30-point performance and his highest-scoring game since joining the Warriors at the trade deadline. He made 12 of 18 free throws -- after having been 63-of-68 from the foul line over the previous eight games in April.
Morant went down hard and rolled his right ankle when he stepped on Buddy Hield's foot and was fouled by Quinten Post with 4:25 remaining in the third but got up and finished the three-point play to pull the Grizzlies within 82-81.
Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 18 points for Memphis, while Zach Edey contributed 14 points and 17 rebounds and hit two free throws with 14.3 seconds left.
Curry had eight rebounds and four assists and shot 9-for-22 while regularly swarmed by Scotty Pippen Jr. before Pippen fouled out late.
Curry had lit up the Grizzlies for 52 points on their home floor in a 134-125 win on April 1, and the Grizzlies made him a top priority this time -- so Butler took charge.
"He's different," Draymond Green said of Butler.
Butler led four straight scoring possessions to put the Warriors up 31-18 late in the first quarter -- assisting on Gary Payton II's cutting dunk, dishing to Post for a 3 and making a 3-point shot and a three-point play himself. Butler showed no signs of being affected by a tender left quadriceps muscle after he took a knee from the LA Clippers' Kawhi Leonard on Sunday.
The Warriors had hoped to avoid this extra game but lost in overtime to the Clippers in the regular-season finale for their third home defeat over the final week.
Curry, Green and the Warriors had been 0-3 in play-in games during appearances in 2021 and last year. The Grizzlies had eliminated them at Chase Center with a 117-112 overtime victory in 2021.
Dart apologises for asking Boisson to 'put on deodorant'
British number four Harriet Dart has apologised for asking the umpire to tell her French opponent to put on deodorant during a first-round loss at the Rouen Open.
Dart lost 6-0 6-3 to Lois Boisson, which included the 28-year-old being swept aside in the opening set in just 28 minutes.
During a changeover in the second set, Dart was heard on the broadcast asking the official: "Can you ask her to put on deodorant? She smells really bad."
But Dart later posted on her Instagram story: "I want to apologise for what I said on court today, it was a heat-of-the-moment comment that I truly regret.
"That's not how I want to carry myself, and I take full responsibility. I have a lot of respect for Lois and how she competed today.
"I'll learn from this and move forward."
Boisson, who had walked back on to the court while Dart was still sat down, appeared to be out of earshot when the Briton made the comment to the umpire.
However, she later made light of the incident on her Instagram story, posting an edited photo of her holding some deodorant and telling toiletries company Dove that they "apparently need a collab".
ITTF Mens and Womens World Cup Macao 2025 Day 3 Live!
In the mens singles action from Day 3 , Jeahyun An (Republic of Korea), produced a strong performance to win 3-1 (12-10, 11-8, 11-5, 9-11) against Omar Assar (Egypt).
With just one place separating both players on the world rankings, this was expected to be a tight match. But An began at full throttle, never allowing Assar to settle in to the match.
An, renowned for his relentless attacking prowess from both wings of the table, showcased peak performance, consistently driving Assar onto the back foot and compelling him into tough defensive scenarios. He was quick to grab his opportunities and booked his place in Stage 2.
Assar, the reigning ITTF African Cup champion, produced an underwhelming performance, clearly not looking to be at his best level. He managed to win the fourth game as a consolation, but it was too late by then.
Day 3 action begins with a quick win for Japanese starlet Miwa Harimoto, who beat Doo Hoi Kem (Hong Kong, China) in four straight games (11-7, 11-6, 11-5, 11-5).
A struggling Kem looked to be suffering from a wrist and forearm injury on her playing hand, visibly causing her distress. It was an unfortunate situation, since Kem would have fancied her chances, having lost in a close 2-3 encounter to Harimoto when they last met.
With this win, Harimoto successfully books her place in Stage 2 (knockout stages) of the tournament.
MERCED, Calif. Over the last handful of years Merced Speedway has established itself as one of the more popular dirt tracks in California.
This Saturday night, the Elk Grove Ford Sprint Car Challenge Tour will compete at the bullring for the second round of the season.
The Merced Speedway happens to be one of the more centrally located tracks in California, which should make for a solid field from throughout the Northern and Central part of our state. The always action-packed quarter mile lies one hour and 45 minutes from Sacramento and just under an hour from Fresno.
We are excited to host the Sprint Car Challenge Tour at Merced Speedway this Saturday, commented track GM Doug Lockwood. We dont have that many sprint car shows in Merced, but when we do, its always a special time. It should be an outstanding field of competitors this weekend and its your only chance to catch a Winged cprint car event here until November, so hopefully everyone can come out and fill these grandstands.
The feature will $3,000-to-win/ $400-to-start on Saturday. The track will also host an Easter Egg/ Candy Hunt during intermission on the front stretch to celebrate Easter Weekend. Teams are asked to please bring some candy for the kids during it.
Opening night with the Elk Grove Ford Sprint Car Challenge Tour last month saw Shane Golobic race to his 17th career series win. This Saturday the Fremont veteran hopes to become the sixth different winner in as many SCCT races held at Merced Speedway.
Dominic Scelzi grabbed a Sprint Car Challenge Tour triumph at Merced in 2023 and recorded a runner-up finish during the SCCT opener in March. The two-time NARC champion is always a favorite in the Golden State and should be certain contender at the Clash on the High Banks.
Justin Sanders is fresh off a $10,000 score at the Mini Gold Cup and looks to back that up with a Merced Speedway victory on Saturday. Sanders was victorious during the SCCT stop at the track last season and brought home a top five at the opener in March.
The Elk Grove Ford Sprint Car Challenge Tour made its Merced debut in 2019, an event claimed Jodie Robinson, who has shown immense speed so far this year driving for Weiher Racing once again.
Watch the event on SPEED SPORT affiliate CaliDirt.tv.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. As the start of the 2025 NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series heats up across the country, Advance Auto Parts and NASCAR announced they are teaming up to accelerate support for local short-track racing through new Advance Auto Parts Night at the Races in 17 track markets.
The program is geared towards ramping up excitement and support for local tracks, drivers, and communities participating in the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series championship season.
During designated race weeks throughout the year, fans of tracks ranging from Colorado National Speedway to Seekonk Speedway in Massachusetts will get to enjoy special activities both at their local tracks and at Advance Auto Parts retail locations in the market.
Advance Auto Parts has been a tremendous partner in raising the profile of short track racing across the country for the past several years, and this is an exciting next step in working together to grow motorsports on the local level, said Joseph Dennewitz, Managing Director of NASCAR Regional. This is a great opportunity for NASCAR and Advance Auto Parts to show appreciation to our race fans who cheer on their favorite drivers at local short tracks each week, as well as support some of the best venues and racing in NASCAR.
Virginia tracks Dominion Raceway in Woodford, Va., and South Boston Speedway will kick off the Advance Auto Parts Night at the Races in April, while Grandview Speedway in Pennsylvania will close out the festivities with the final event of the season in September.
Leading into each tracks Advance Auto Parts Night at the Races, a local Advance Auto Parts retail location will host fan-friendly activities such as driver autograph sessions, ticket or merchandise giveaways, and other fun opportunities featuring the local track.
As NASCARs Official Auto Parts Retailer, were thrilled to further enhance fans experience and ignite their excitement both at our stores and at local tracks where people are passionate about racing, said Jason Hand, Senior Vice President of U.S. Stores. Advance Auto Parts is all about being your community store, so were excited to support local tracks, dedicated NASCAR fans, and our customers in their own backyard.
Advance Auto Parts Night at the Races
April
19 Dominion Raceway (Virginia)
26 South Boston Speedway (Virginia)
May
10 Bowman Gray Stadium (North Carolina)
17 Seekonk Speedway (Massachusetts)
24 Berlin Raceway (Michigan)
31 Jennerstown Speedway Complex (Pennsylvania)
June
7 Elko Speedway (Minnesota)
13 Wake County Speedway (North Carolina)
13 Limaland Motorsports Park (Ohio)
21 Langley Speedway (Virginia)
July
26 Riverhead Raceway (New York)
30 Hawkeye Downs Speedway (Iowa)
August
9 Salina Highbanks Speedway (Oklahoma)
9 Colorado National Speedway (Colorado)
15 Lee USA Speedway (New Hampshire)
30 New Smyrna Speedway (Florida)
September
6 Grandview Speedway (Pennsylvania)
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. Hyundai announced driver Robert Wickens will begin the qualification process for one of the most challenging endurance races in the world.
Wickens is planning to compete in the ADAC Ravenol 24 Hour Nurburgring race on June 21-22.
Participating in the legendary Nürburgring 24 will mark another milestone after a life-changing IndyCar accident in 2018 that left Wickens paralyzed from the waist down.
Wickens will compete in an Elantra N TCR racer using Bosch hand controls. His participation symbolizes resilience, determination, and the power of human potential.
As an athlete, Im constantly seeking ways to push myself and explore new opportunities to grow and hone my skills, said Wickens. Im always striving to be the best version of myself, both on and off the track. Hyundai, Bosch, and Bryan Herta Autosport have an incredible team spirit and Im thrilled for this chance to return and compete in one of the worlds most demanding endurance races.
The Nürburgring 24 Hours is an annual 24-hour touring car and GT endurance race that takes place on a combination of the Nordschleife (North Loop) and the GP-Strecke (Grand Prix track) circuits of the Nürburgring in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.
Held since 1970, the races 15.7-plus-mile lap length allows more than 200 cars and over 700 drivers to compete at once. The Nürburgring motorsports circuit is nicknamed The Green Hell because of its daunting length, changing elevations and extreme, varied weather conditions.
KNOXVILLE, Iowa Theres never a bad time to visit The Sprint Car Capital of the World.
The entire sport converges on Knoxville Raceway in August for the NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Caseys, but the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars make a pair of trips prior to The Nationals.
The first is set for this weekend (April 18-19) as The Greatest Show on Dirt heads to the Marion County Fairgrounds for the first leg of the Premier Chevy Dealers Clash. Not only will it be the World of Outlaws first visit to the historic half-mile this year, but itll also mark the first race of 2025 for Knoxville.
The fun starts before the racing even kicks off. On Thursday at 2 p.m. CT, fans can attend the grand opening of the Dennis Albaugh Suite Tower next to the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum outside Turn 2. Then, later that night, engines will come to life as the track hosts a practice session thats free for fans to attend.
A massive field of cars is expected to fill the pit area as Knoxville opens their gates for the first time this year.
SCHATZVILLE
For as long as Donny Schatz is racing sprint cars, hell always top the headlines when the World of Outlaws roll into Knoxville.
The 10-time series champion owns 30 victories at Knoxville. Eleven of those are Knoxville Nationals titles, ranking second behind only Steve Kinsers dozen. Outside of Nationals competition, Schatz has picked up another 11 World of Outlaws checkered flags in four different months including an April win in 2007.
Schatz carries the momentum of his best weekend of the year into the Premier Chevy Dealers Clash. He drove from 18th to sixth on night one at I-55 before taking the Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Racing No. 15 to his first podium of the season on Saturday.
BUILDING MOMENTUM
David Gravel and Big Game Motorsports pulled ahead early, but as of late Carson Macedo and his Jason Johnson Racing crew may be the hottest team on tour.
Theyve put together six podiums in the last eight races with a 3.38 average finish over that stretch. Macedo is fresh off a win and a runner-up at I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park. The recent speed has allowed the Lemoore, Calif., native to trim David Gravels lead atop the points down to 64 markers.
Knoxville is a special place for the JJR crew. Jason Johnsons epic triumph in the 2016 Knoxville Nationals will never be forgotten. Its also where Macedo took the No. 41 to victory lane in the teams first race back during the 2018 360 Nationals after Johnsons passing.
Macedo owns four wins at the half-mile, and theyve all come with Jason Johnson Racing. Recently, he topped a 2023 Knoxville Nationals prelim. He also swept the 2021 June World of Outlaws weekend.
OUTLAW EXCELLENCE
Schatz and Macedo arent the only current World of Outlaws drivers who have experienced success at Knoxville.
David Gravel is a 12-time Knoxville winner, most notably taking the 2019 Knoxville Nationals title. Four of the current point leaders victories have come since joining Big Game Motorsports including one last June.
Giovanni Scelzi may be a California native, but he now calls Iowa home and has stood in Knoxville victory lane on eight occasions.
Logan Schuchart is the series most recent winner entering the weekend after claiming the I-55 finale, and hes got a trio of Knoxville scores under his belt. His first was the 2018 Hard Knox Night. In 2022, the Hanover, Pa., driver won the Capitani Classic and followed that up with a Nationals prelim win a few days later.
Garet Williamson may be a World of Outlaws rookie, but hes got plenty of Knoxville experience. He claimed a pair of 360 sprint car wins at the half mile in 2023, and then last year with his current Fischer Motorsports team he got his first in a 410 there.
Sheldon Haudenschild thrilled in 2021 when he wheeled the Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing/NOS Energy Drink No. 17 from 14th to his first Knoxville win at a local race. Hes still going after one in World of Outlaws competition on the Marion County Fairgrounds.
KNOCKING ON THE DOOR
There are a handful of World of Outlaws competitors whove come close but are still yet to enjoy the feeling of making that right turn into Knoxville victory lane. Theyll look to seal the deal this weekend.
A Knoxville win remains a missing piece from Michael Buddy Kofoids résumé. Hes been in the top 10 in half of his 14 starts, peaking with a runner-up in the Roth Motorsports ride against ASCoC in 2023.
Chris Windom was close to Knoxville glory in his wingless days. The current Vermeer Motorsports driver has been in the top five on five occasions with USAC including a pair of runner-up finishes.
Bill Balog, Cole Macedo, and Skylar Gee have also been in the top five at least once at Knoxville but not stood on the top step of the podium yet.
KNOXVILLE KNOWLEDGE
Knoxville has one of the healthiest weekly programs as a nation, and as a result many track regulars await to face off with the best in the business with hopes of performing under the bright lights.
Brian Brown calls Missouri home but has become synonymous with Knoxville Raceway. Hes a five-time track champion and Knoxvilles second winningest driver with 66 wins to his credit three in World of Outlaws competition.
Austin McCarl continues the McCarl family tradition of performing at Knoxville. The Altoona, IA native claimed the two most recent track titles, bringing his total to a trio. One of his three career World of Outlaws top fives came at Knoxville.
Several other regulars are likely to be in attendance including Tasker Phillips, Cole Mincer, Jamie Ball and more.
NATIONALS PREVIEW
A massive field is expected to invade and treat fans to a preview of the Knoxville Nationals. In addition to the stars of the World of Outlaws tour and the local contingent, several stout names are planning to join them.
After winning the NASCAR Cup race at Bristol over the weekend, Kyle Larson indicated hell be in attendance aboard the Silva Motorsports No. 57. Three of the last four Knoxville Nationals went to Yung Money. The Elk Grove, Calif., native owns 12 total wins on the Marion County Fairgrounds.
2013 World of Outlaws champion Daryn Pittman has joined forces with Lunstra Motorsports for select races including this weekend. The Owasso, Okla., driver is a three-time Knoxville Feature winner and sat on the front row of last years Nationals.
Tanner Holmes and the Tarlton Motorsports crew are hauling the black No. 21 from the West Coast to Iowa. The combo has already won at Californias Silver Dollar Speedway this year and nearly got another this past weekend. Holmes best Knoxville finish is eighth.
Other talented gassers planning on joining the weekends roster include Tyler Courtney, Ryan Timms, Chase Randall, Emerson Axsom, Aaron Reutzel and more.
After colliding with an official in Saturday's game, Winnipeg Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers is week-to-week because of a right foot injury as the Presidents' Trophy winners prepare for the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Following Saturday's 5-4 shootout win over the host Chicago Blackhawks, Winnipeg coach Scott Arniel said the 29-year-old Ehlers aggravated the lower-body injury he sustained earlier in the season.
"It's related to the first time," Arniel said Tuesday. "Obviously got reinjured again when he ran into the lineup."
In his 10th season, all with the Jets, Ehlers is a key part of the offense with 63 points (24 goals, 39 assists) in 69 games. The No. 9 overall pick in the 2014 draft has 520 career points (225 goals, 295 assists) in 674 games.
Ehlers' teammate, forward Gabriel Vilardi (undisclosed injury), has been upgraded to day-to-day in his recovery, Arniel said Tuesday. Vilardi, 25, had been week-to-week after a March 23 injury but skated Tuesday on his own. In 71 games this season, he has 61 points (27 goals, 34 assists).
Arniel added that defenseman Dylan Samberg is fine after sustaining an apparent injury on a blocked shot in Sunday's 4-1 home loss to the Edmonton Oilers. The 26-year-old Samberg, who has 20 points (six goals, 14 assists) in 59 games this season, practiced Tuesday.
Before facing the lower of the two wild-card teams in the first round, Arniel said the Jets plan to play their regulars in Wednesday's regular-season finale at home against the Anaheim Ducks. Winnipeg is one point shy of setting a franchise record with 115 points this season.
Field Level Media contributed to this report.
ST. LOUIS -- Blues forward Robert Thomas left Tuesday night's 6-1 win over the Utah Hockey Club with a lower body injury and was ruled out for the rest of the game.
Thomas, who had a pair of assists in the game, was injured early in the third period.
Thomas leads the NHL with 40 points (8 goals, 32 assists) since Feb. 22.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Auston Matthews scored into an empty net for the 400th goal of his career in the Toronto Maple Leafs' 4-0 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night.
The victory clinched Toronto's first-ever Atlantic Division title, and also featured Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner reaching his career high with 100 points by scoring with 4:21 left in regulation.
The Maple Leafs secured the Eastern Conference's second seed, and will open the playoffs against their Ontario provincial rival, the Ottawa Senators.
Matthews, an American and former No. 1 overall pick from the 2016 draft, is the sixth fastest player to reach 400, according to ESPN Research, doing so in his 628th career game. That's six games faster than Alex Ovechkin, the NHL's new all-time goals leader.
Milestone 1634 pic.twitter.com/h8R0z9IbC2
Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) April 16, 2025
"It means a lot. ... In the end, it's a team accomplishment, I think. It's a team sport. There's a lot that goes into it," Matthews said. "And just fortunate that it's come off my stick a couple times."
This is just the second time in franchise history that a Maple Leaf has scored 400 with the club, as Matthews joins Mats Sundin, who finished his Toronto tenure with 420. At some point early next season, health permitting, he should tie John Leclair at No. 13 overall in all-time goals for American-born players.
Antony Stolarz, who won a Stanley Cup title with the Florida Panthers last season as a backup, closed his first season in Toronto's net with a shutout, improving to 4-0-1 against the Sabres. The 31-year-old's previous two trips to Buffalo ended in shutouts -- a 45-save outing with Florida last season, and a 25-save outing with Anaheim in December 2021.
Toronto set a single-season franchise record with 25 road wins and claimed only their third division title overall. Toronto previously won the all-Canada North Division during the COVID-19 altered 2021 season, and were also Northeast Division champs in 2000.
"I feel really confident in this group. We put in a lot of work over the season," Matthews said. "Earning the division was a big step for us, but we just want to continue to push forward."
Coach Craig Berube, also in his first season with the Maple Leafs, concurred with his captain.
"The buy-in is everything, and they've bought into it," he said of his team. "It starts with our leadership group and it trickles down. That's the bottom line."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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