AP Sports Summary for Tuesday Morning, June 13th, 2023.
Nuggets take home 1st NBA title in rugged 94-89 win over Heat
DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic guided Denver to its first NBA title in team history, as the Nuggets overcame dreadful shooting and a late flurry from Miami's Jimmy Butler to squeeze past the Heat for a frantic 94-89 victory. Jokic had 28 points and 16 rebounds for the Nuggets, who missed 20 of their first 22 3-point attempts and seven of their first 13 free throws but figured out how to close out the series on their home floor in Game 5. Butler scored eight straight points to help the Heat take an 87-86 lead with 2:45 left after trailing by seven. He made two more free throws with 1:58 left to help Miami regain a one-point lead. Then, Bruce Brown got an offensive rebound and tip-in to give the Nuggets the lead for good.
Analysis: Novak Djokovic has 23 Slams, so is he the GOAT? He leaves that debate to others
PARIS (AP) — Novak Djokovic's 23 Grand Slam titles put him atop the list for the most in history by a man. He broke a tie with rival Rafael Nadal and is now three ahead of the retired Roger Federer. Djokovic got his 23rd by beating Casper Ruud in the French Open final on Sunday. Djokovic was then asked how it feels to be the greatest male tennis player in history. He did not give a direct answer. But the numbers sure back his case. Most Grand Slam titles. Most weeks at No. 1. The only man to win every Masters 1000 event twice. And so on. He now heads to Wimbledon halfway to a calendar-year Grand Slam.
Original Golden Knights hope to fulfill owner's wish of Stanley Cup by 6th year
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Golden Knights owner Bill Foley was aggressive from the beginning. He said he wanted to win the Stanley Cup in six years. Vegas nearly won it the first year. The Knights made the Stanley Cup Final before losing in five games to the Washington Capitals. High expectations came from the top and came early for the six players who remain from that team. The Knights take a 3-1 series lead into Tuesday's Cup Final against the Florida Panthers. This is Vegas' sixth season.
Vegas Golden Knights buck trend of small D-men during Stanley Cup Final run
The Vegas Golden Knights are one win from the Stanley Cup with a big defensive corps that bucks the trend of smaller blue lines. Vegas' six defensemen that have have played in the final range from 6-foot-1 to 6-6. That's a significantly bigger defense than the Florida Panthers, who the Golden Knights lead 3-1 in final. Part of the advantage is having the size and toughness to handle big hits and pressure all playoffs.
Senator asks LIV Golf, PGA Tour leaders for records on merger
WASHINGTON (AP) — The leader of a Senate subcommittee wants the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia's LIV Golf to present records about negotiations that led to their new agreement and plans for what golf will look like under the arrangement. Sen. Richard Blumenthal sent letters to PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan and LIV CEO Greg Norman spelling out the "serious questions regarding the reasons for and terms behind the announced agreement." Blumenthal, who is chairman of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, said he also wanted to hear the tour's plans to retain its tax-exempt status. Last week, LIV and the tour stunned the golf world by agreeing to merge the PGA Tour and European tour with the Saudi golf interests, while dropping all lawsuits between the parties.
Browns' Winfrey has assault charged dismissed after he completed diversion program
CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey had a misdemeanor assault charge against him dropped in Texas after he completed a pretrial diversion program. According to Harris County Court documents, Winfrey's case was dismissed on June 9. The 22-year-old Winfrey had been arrested in April after he allegedly became violent in an argument with a woman he was dating. Winfrey has had a turbulent tenure with Cleveland since the Browns drafted him in the fourth round in 2022. He was disciplined by the team last season on at least two occasions, and Winfrey acknowledged he needed to mature as a professional.
Accustomed to playing with injuries, Panthers prepare for Game 5
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Florida Panthers took the ice for Monday's practice without several key players, most notably Matthew Tkachuk. The Panthers also were seemingly without any concern as they prepare for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights, down 3-1 in the series. The common theme in the Panthers' locker room after practice was referring to their 3-1 series comeback in the opening round against the Presidents' Trophy-winning Boston Bruins. This time, however, it'll take a lot more than hockey's so-called "puck luck" in what's been a hard-hitting, physically challenging, brawl-filled series.
Havertz helps Germany salvage 3-3 draw with Ukraine, proceeds going to war victims
BREMEN, Germany (AP) — Kai Havertz has helped Germany salvage a 3-3 draw with Ukraine in a charity friendly that leaves neither team happy from a sporting perspective. Viktor Tsyhankov had scored twice for Ukraine to come from behind and lead 3-1 in Serhiy Rebrov's debut as coach. It put his team on course for its first ever win over Germany. But Havertz pulled one back in the 83rd minute, and was then fouled for a penalty that Joshua Kimmich converted in injury time for the equalizer. The German soccer federation was donating the proceeds from the game to victims of Russia's war in Ukraine. Germany's performance will do little to restore confidence in the team a year before the country hosts the European Championship.
Former Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi was also successful in soccer at AC Milan and Monza
MILAN (AP) — Former Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi dominated Italian soccer for decades just like he commanded the show in Italian politics. AC Milan enjoyed years of dominance during his 30-year ownership. The team won 29 trophies before he sold the club in 2017. Berlusconi then empowered Monza up to Serie A for the first time in its history after reuniting with Adriano Galliani. Berlusconi was always a very hands-on owner and never shy about dictating player lineups to his coaches. Berlusconi has died at the age of 86.
Top teams not worried when NASCAR Cup Series takes only break in grinding schedule
SONOMA, Calif. (AP) — The relentless grind of the NASCAR Cup Series pauses this week, and just about everybody involved with the cars is looking to take advantage. This is the teams' sole weekend without a race between the Daytona 500 on Feb. 19 and the Cup Series championship at Phoenix on Nov. 5. But for the teams and drivers doing their best work right before the start of the 10-race sprint to the 10-race Cup playoffs, this one-week break is a mixed blessing. Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr. both say they're quite pleased with the momentum built up by their teams.
AP-Scorecard
Here are the latest scores from today's sports events:
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INTERLEAGUE
Colorado at Boston 7:10 p.m. (Weather Delay)
Cincinnati 5 Kansas City 4 (Bot 10th)
Seattle 7 Miami 1 (Bot 7th)
Final Detroit 6 Atlanta 5
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AMERICAN LEAGUE
L.A. Angels 7 Texas 5 (Top 12th)
Oakland 4 Tampa Bay 3 (Bot 6th)
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NATIONAL LEAGUE
Philadelphia 5 Arizona 5 (Bot 6th)
Final San Francisco 4 St. Louis 3
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NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PLAYOFFS
Final Denver 94 Miami 89
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