BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Celtics already have gotten plenty from their first-round pick in this year’s draft – Kevin Garnett and the 2008 NBA championship. So general manager Danny Ainge, who sent that choice to Minnesota in a 7-for-1 trade for Garnett, wasn’t complaining about having only the 58th of 60 picks on Thursday […]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Flyers have not renewed the contract of longtime goalie coach Reggie Lemelin. Lemelin, a former NHL goalie, had been with the Flyers since the 1993-94 season. Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren says the move was made because it was time for a change. Holmgren did not say Thursday who will […]

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Vince Carter is going home to Orlando, and to the Eastern Conference champion Magic. On a draft day when Cleveland made the biggest splash by trading for the Suns’ Shaquille O’Neal, Orlando made a blockbuster move of its own in acquiring the Nets’ Carter, an eight-time NBA All Star who […]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Jeremy Mayfield denied Thursday ever taking methamphetamines, doesn’t know how he failed a random drug test and said his indefinite suspension from NASCAR has ruined his driving career. Mayfield’s denial comes in an affidavit that was among several hundred pages of documents filed by his attorneys in U.S. District Court. He’s […]

WIMBLEDON, England (AP) — Venus Williams ambled onto sun-splashed Court 1 at Wimbledon on Thursday, a slight hitch in her step and an odd-looking wrap around her left knee. White tape here, brown tape there. Good thing the five-time Wimbledon champion didn’t need to run to hit serves, huh? Powered in part by her big-as-can-be […]

SEATTLE (AP) — Commissioner Roger Goodell is beginning to focus on evaluating Michael Vick’s future in the NFL. That doesn’t mean a decision will come any time before the 2009 regular season begins in September. Goodell said Thursday his decision on whether to reinstate the former Atlanta Falcons star quarterback, convicted on federal charges of […]

Eds: Astros 5, Royals 4. UPDATES. Berkman’s four RBIs lead Astros past Royals 5-4 KRISTIE RIEKEN AP Sports Writer HOUSTON (AP) – Lance Berkman homered twice and drove in four runs to help the Houston Astros overcome an error-filled day and beat the Kansas City Royals 5-4 on Thursday. Berkman entered the game needing to […]

Eds: Tigers 6, Cubs 5. UPDATES. Ordonez’s HR lifts Tigers to 6-5 win against Cubs BY LARRY LAGE AP Sports Writer DETROIT (AP) — Magglio Ordonez ended a career-long, 40-game drought without a home run by connecting for the go-ahead shot, leading the Detroit Tigers over the Chicago Cubs 6-5 Thursday for their seventh straight […]

Eds: APNewsNow. Rays 10, Phillies 4. Aybar leads Rays past Phillies ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) – Willy Aybar homered and drove in three runs as a replacement for an injured Evan Longoria on Thursday night, leading the Tampa Bay Rays to a 10-4 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in the decisive game of a rematch […]

Eds: APNewsNow. Pirates 3, Indians 2. Pirates rally to beat Indians in ninth PITTSBURGH (AP) – Andrew McCutchen hit a game-ending bloop single to score Jack Wilson and give the Pittsburgh Pirates a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Thursday night. McCutchen, a top prospect recalled when the Pirates traded All-star Nate McLouth […]