AP Sports SummaryBrief at 6:28 p.m. EDT

By The Associated Press
Updated: 33 minutes ago
Published: April 17, 2025 - 4:00 AM

Aaron Rodgers says he’s not holding teams hostage as he ponders his future in the NFL

Aaron Rodgers is in no rush to make a decision about his future. The free-agent quarterback said during an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Thursday that he is “not holding anybody hostage” as he weighs whether to return for a 21st season. Rodgers was released by the New York Jets in March. The 41-year-old four-time NFL MVP has visited the Pittsburgh Steelers and talked with the Minnesota Vikings in recent weeks. Rodgers said he will keep the lines of communication open, but added that there are certain things going on in his personal life that are currently taking precedence over anything related to football.

The NBA playoffs are about to begin. And it might be a wide-open race to the title again

There was Toronto in 2019, the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, Milwaukee in 2021, Golden State in 2022, Denver in 2023 and Boston in 2024. Six different seasons, six different champions. A run of parity like none other in NBA history. And now the Celtics get their turn at bucking that trend. Boston will try to win back-to-back NBA titles, something no franchise has managed since Golden State did it in 2017 and 2018. The NBA playoffs start Saturday with four Game 1s, continue Sunday with four more Game 1s and just like that a 16-team, two-month journey will be off and running.

Florida State cancels all on-campus sports events through the weekend after on-campus shooting

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida State has canceled all home athletic events through the weekend after an on-campus shooting Thursday left two dead and at least six others injured. That includes its final two spring football practices, a baseball series against Virginia and a softball series against Georgia Tech. The two people who died were not students at the university, but the shooter is believed to be a student, Florida State University Police Chief Jason Trumbower. He was the son of a sheriff’s deputy whose former service weapon was used in the shooting. Classes also have been canceled through Friday.

Justin Thomas makes 11 birdies for a 61 to take the lead at Harbour Town

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — Justin Thomas found just the right tonic for his post-Masters week. He has tied the course record at Harbour Town with a 61 to lead the RBC Heritage. Thomas made 11 birdies and nearly had the course record all to himself until missing a 5-foot birdie chance at the end. He leads by three shots over defending champion Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley. Scheffler played without stress. He only got out of position once and only one other time had to scramble for par in his round of 64. The weather was ideal and so was the start for Thomas.

Man United seals spectacular comeback to beat Lyon 5-4 and advance to Europa League semifinals

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester United blew a two-goal lead and then came back from 4-2 down in extra time to secure a place in the Europa League semifinals. In a remarkable match at Old Trafford, United won 5-4 on the night and 7-6 on aggregate. United had led 2-0 at halftime, but then conceded twice in six minutes in the second half to send the game to extra time against 10-man Lyon. The troubled Premier League club looked set to be eliminated when Lyon took a 4-2 lead after 109 minutes, but goals from Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo and a Harry Maguire winner sealed a spectacular comeback.

A shaken Magic coach Jamahl Mosley reacts to Florida State shooting: ‘Lives are more important’

Jamahl Mosley had things to say after the Orlando Magic finished practice on Thursday. They were not about basketball. Upon hearing the news of Thursday’s shooting at Florida State University, with investigators saying two people were killed and six others injured, Mosley’s mind immediately shifted away from playoff preparations. To him, thoughts of the upcoming NBA playoff series between the Magic and the defending champion Boston Celtics — Game 1 is Sunday — could wait.

Nats pitcher Jorge López suspended 3 games for throwing at Pittsburgh’s Andrew McCutchen’s head

Major League Baseball says Washington Nationals pitcher Jorge López has been suspended three games and fined for throwing at Pittsburgh’s Andrew McCutchen. López was ejected from Wednesday night’s game against the Pirates after a high pitch near McCutchen’s head led to the benches briefly clearing in the seventh inning. The right-hander has filed an appeal of the suspension, which was set to begin Thursday but will not take effect until that process is done. Nationals manager Dave Martinez received a fine and one-game suspension because of the incident.

College football players chasing dollars with portal open and House settlement approval delayed

The opening of the college football transfer portal has created a dash for cash. The delay in a judge approving the House v NCAA antitrust settlement has extended the window of there being no limits on the amount of money players can receive from their schools’ NIL collectives or from third-party endorsement deals. More than 400 players have entered the portal since it opened Wednesday. Athletes have until April 25 to enter, and they clearly have leverage until the settlement is approved. Sports attorney Mit Winter says schools have a free pass to pay athletes as much as they want.

Luka Doncic eager to start playing big games for Lakers, starting in playoff date with Timberwolves

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Luka Doncic has been with the Los Angeles Lakers for 2 1/2 months now, and he’s feeling fairly comfortable in his new home. The playoffs begin this weekend, and the Lakers know they’re about to see yet another side of their Slovenian superstar. Doncic is one of the top playoff performers of his generation, and he is just one year removed from his remarkable effort in carrying the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals despite significant injuries to his right knee, left ankle and chest. Doncic has LeBron James on his side this spring when the third-seeded Lakers begin the first round against the surging Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1.

What to know about the first-round matchups in the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs

It took until the penultimate night of the regular season, but all the matchups are set for the first round of the NHL playoffs. The reigning champion Florida Panthers open against the cross-state rival Tampa Bay Lightning. The Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators face off in the first Battle of Ontario in over two decades. Out West, the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche collide in a matchup of titans of the Central Division. And Connor McDavid’s Edmonton Oilers open the postseason against the Los Angeles Kings for a fourth year in a row.