JANIE McCAULEY

AP Baseball Writer
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) moves the ball while defended by Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during overtime of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 13, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Warriors headed to play-in tournament as No. 7 seed in the West
After a 124-119 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Clippers in a regular-season finale for the ages, Jimmy Butler, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green will have to take their team down the tougher road once again.
 
Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac (40) reacts after scoring against the Golden State Warriors during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 13, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Harden, Leonard lead Clippers past Warriors 124-119 in OT to secure fifth seed in West playoffs
James Harden hit consecutive 3-pointers in overtime, a pair of free throws and scored on Jimmy Butler’s goaltending to finish with 39 points and 10 assists, Kawhi Leonard scored 33, and the Los Angeles Clippers secured the fifth seed in the Western Conference playoffs by beating the Golden State War
 
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, left, defends against San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Harrison Barnes swishes 3-pointer at the buzzer as Spurs stun Warriors with 114-111 win
Harrison Barnes made a 3-pointer at the buzzer after committing a foul moments earlier that could have cost his team, and the San Antonio Spurs stunned the Golden State Warriors 114-111.
 
Cincinnati Reds catcher Jose Trevino (35) hits into a fielder's choice scoring Spencer Steer in the third inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants in San Francisco, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Scot Tucker)
Lodolo pitches 6 innings and Trevino drives in lone run as the Reds blank the Giants 1-0
Nick Lodolo pitched six sharp innings and outdueled Landen Roupp, and the Cincinnati Reds shut out the San Francisco Giants for a second straight game with a 1-0 win.
 
Texas Rangers' Josh Smith steals second base before Cincinnati Reds' Matt McLain can apply the tag in the ninth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)
Reds place second baseman Matt McLain on injured list as precaution with left hamstring injury
Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain was placed on the 10-day injured list with a strained left hamstring that the team expects will heal quickly by giving him some days to rest.
 
College soccer player Lexi Drumm leaves federal court during a hearing for a landmark $2.8 billion settlement impacting NCAA college athletics on Monday, April 7, 2025, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Judge wants range of issues addressed in $2.8 billion NCAA settlement before final approval
U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken has asked attorneys in the landmark $2.8 billion House settlement to come up with solutions for issues raised at a hearing in Oakland, California, before she grants final approval.
 
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) reacts after being fouled while making a basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Sengun’s 19 points, 14 rebounds power Rockets past Warriors 106-96 as Curry struggles
Alperen Sengun had 19 points and 14 rebounds, Dillon Brooks scored 24 points and the Houston Rockets snapped the Golden State Warriors’ five-game winning streak with a 106-96 win in a matchup of Western Conference powers.
 
San Francisco Giants' Willy Adames celebrates with Patrick Bailey after scoring during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners in San Francisco, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
Adames hits 2-run single with two outs in the 11th inning, Giants win home opener over Mariners 10-9
Willy Adames hit a winning two-run single with two outs in the 11th inning, sending the San Francisco Giants over the Seattle Mariners 10-9 Friday in their home opener to extend their winning streak to five.
 
San Francisco Giants pitcher Justin Verlander throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners in San Francisco, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
Justin Verlander done after 2 1/3 innings in his home debut for San Francisco Giants against Seattle
Justin Verlander pitched a forgettable home debut for the San Francisco Giants. The 42-year-old right-hander, who signed a $15 million, one-year contract in January, was done after just 2 1/3 innings against the Seattle Mariners in the Giants’ 2025 opener at Oracle Park.
 
Athletics' Joey Estes pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, March 31, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Some diehard baseball fans in sports-crazed Sacramento welcome Athletics and hope they stay awhile
Despite some kinks still to be worked out, the Athletics’ relocation is providing fans who might not go to games often a big new opportunity to see the big leagues live.
 
Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson (7) and Chicago Cubs right field Seiya Suzuki (27) celebrate together after their victory against the Athletics in a baseball game Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)
Nearly 2 months later, the Cubs finally go home to Chicago for their Wrigley Field opener on Friday
The Chicago Cubs were in Arizona for spring training, began the regular season in Japan, went back to Phoenix to face the Diamondbacks in a four-game set and then traveled to Northern California to take on the Athletics.
 
Chicago Cubs' Seiya Suzuki (27) smiles in the dugout after hitting a three-run home run during the second inning inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)
Suzuki homers twice and knocks in 5 as Cubs rout A’s 10-2 for 3-game sweep
Seiya Suzuki homered twice and drove in five runs as the Chicago Cubs beat the Athletics 10-2 to complete a three-game sweep.
 
Athletics' Esteury Ruiz (1) follows through with his swing as Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes, right, looks on during the first inning of a spring training baseball game Sunday, March 9, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin,File)
Athletics trade speedy outfielder Esteury Ruiz to Dodgers for minor league pitcher
The Athletics traded talented base-stealer and outfielder Esteury Ruiz to the Los Angeles Dodgers for minor league right-hander Carlos Duran.
 
Chicago Cubs designated hitter Seiya Suzuki celebrates back to the dugout followed by Chicago Cubs right fielder Kyle Tucker and Chicago Cubs left fielder Ian Happ after hitting a three run home run in the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)
Kyle Tucker homers in his 4th straight game as the Cubs power past the A’s again, 7-4
Seiya Suzuki hit a three-run homer in the first inning, Kyle Tucker added a solo shot in the third to give him home runs in a career-best four straight games and the Chicago Cubs slugged away for a second consecutive night in beating the Athletics 7-4.
 
Mike Bibby, center, is introduced as the new head basketball coach of Sacramento State during an NCAA college basketball press conference, Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Janie McCauley)
Mike Bibby is already bringing in former NBA players’ sons as he begins rebuilding Sacramento State
Mike Bibby and Shaquille O’Neal will be mixing it up again, this time with Bibby coaching Shaq’s son at Sacramento State. Shaqir O’Neal verbally committed to play for Bibby in the former Kings star’s new position.
 
Chicago Cubs players warm up before a baseball game against the Athletics, Monday, March 31, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Athletics bat boy Stewart Thalblum takes down drone in left field
When a drone suddenly appeared near the left-field wall at Sutter Health Park, Athletics bat boy Stewart Thalblum decided to help thwart it.
 
Chicago Cubs' Michael Busch hits a two-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Monday, March 31, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Kelly hits for cycle and Cubs power past Athletics 18-3 in 1st MLB game at Sutter Health Park
Carson Kelly hit for the cycle and drove in five runs, Michael Busch launched a two-run homer on the way to a career-high four RBIs, and the Chicago Cubs pounded the Athletics 18-3 to spoil their first game in their new Northern California home.
 
Chicago Cubs' Carson Kelly runs after hitting a single during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Monday, March 31, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Carson Kelly becomes 1st Cubs player to hit for the cycle in 32 years
Carson Kelly became the first Chicago Cubs player in 32 years to hit for the cycle when the catcher tripled in the eighth inning Monday night against the Athletics.
 
The Athletics and the Chicago Cubs listen to the national anthem before a baseball game Monday, March 31, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Athletics usher in new era playing Cubs at West Sacramento’s Sutter Health Park
Athletics manager Mark Kotsay walked around the warning track and surveyed the field at his new ballpark.
 
Florida assistant coach Kevin Hovde celebrates the Gators’ Final Four berth Saturday night, March 29, 2025 in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Janie McCauley)
Florida assistant Kevin Hovde relishes Final Four run before leaving to coach Columbia
Kevin Hovde had a thrilling last hurrah alongside longtime friend and Florida coach Todd Golden before the Gators assistant departs to begin leading the Columbia program at age 36.
 
Florida players celebrate their win over Texas Tech in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Texas Tech is victimized by the same kind of late rally that got the Red Raiders to the Elite Eight
This time, Texas Tech gave up the game with a collapse down the stretch in the NCAA Tournament. Two days after the Red Raiders’ furious comeback to beat Arkansas in overtime, they were on the other end of a rally by top-seeded Florida in an 84-79 loss in the Elite Eight on Saturday.
 
Maryland head coach Kevin Willard reacts during the first half in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA college basketball tournament game against Florida, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Maryland’s Kevin Willard insists he’s unsure what’s next for his coaching career
Kevin Willard insists he has no idea what’s next for him in coaching. Not moments after Maryland’s NCAA Tournament defeat to top-seeded Florida, and certainly not before speaking with his agent and his wife.
 
Florida players react on the bench during the second half in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA college basketball tournament against Maryland, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Will Richard and top-seeded Florida run away from Maryland’s ‘Crab Five’ for 87-71 March Madness win
Will Richard scored 15 points, Alijah Martin added 14 points and seven rebounds, and top-seeded Florida played a steady second half to run away from No. 4 seed Maryland and into the NCAA Tournament’s West Region final with an 87-71 win.
 
Stanford head coach Kyle Smith, left, talks with Scott Golden, father of Florida head coach Todd Golden, during Florida's practice, Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in San Francisco, ahead of a Sweet 16 game against Maryland in the NCAA college basketball tournament. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Todd Golden’s Bay Area return leading No. 1 Florida in NCAA Tournament is chance to show gratitude
Florida coach Todd Golden is back in the Bay Area leading the top-seeded Gators in the Sweet 16 against Maryland, using this reunion as a chance to show his appreciation for his former college coaches and mentors at Saint Mary’s College, Randy Bennett and Kyle Smith.
 
Rivercats players on the infield during the San Francisco Giants game against the Sacramento Rivercats at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento Calif., on Sunday, March 23, 2025. The ballpark will be the home park for the Athletics this season after leaving Oakland. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Backup grass will be at the ready for ballpark shared by Athletics, Giants’ Triple-A club
Replacement grass will be nearby and at the ready when the Sutter Health Park sod begins to deteriorate this spring with regular play from both the San Francisco Giants’ Triple-A team and the newcomer Athletics.
 
Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (10) shoots during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Jimmy Butler’s presence on the court and in locker room has sparked the Warriors’ resurgence
Since Jimmy Butler joined the Golden State Warriors at the trade deadline from Miami, he has brought an energy and winning mentality they were searching for to make a playoff push.
 
UConn guard Azzi Fudd (35) slaps hands with fans and the student section after an NCAA college basketball game against Marquette, Sunday, March 2, 2025, in Storrs, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
UConn star Azzi Fudd received a timely assist from Stephen Curry during knee rehab
UConn star Azzi Fudd went down with a knee injury 16 months ago and her parents immediately wondered how they all would navigate another grueling rehab process. That’s when Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry came in.
 
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry reacts after making a 3-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets, Monday, March 17, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Steve Kerr committed to finding Stephen Curry a rest day, insists superstar guard is exhausted
Stephen Curry needs a break, and Warriors coach Steve Kerr is going to make it a priority to find some rest for his superstar.
 
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) shoots a 3-point basket next to Golden State Warriors guard Moses Moody (4) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 17, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Aaron Gordon, Russell Westbrook lead undermanned Nuggets past Warriors 114-105
Aaron Gordon scored a season-best 38 points, Russell Westbrook hit a crucial 3-pointer with 4:10 to play and delivered a triple-double, and the undermanned Denver Nuggets missing their two main stars beat the Golden State Warriors 114-105.
 
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts smiles at fans as he heads to the dugout prior to a spring training baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
NL West Preview: Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Padres lead a loaded division
In the loaded NL West, Shohei Ohtani and the big-money Los Angeles Dodgers are still the team to beat.
 
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