Sports
Lakers ‘elevate’ work for playoffs with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves injured
The elephant in the room for the Lakers as they enter the playoffs has been, and will continue to be, the status of their starting backcourt, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Both are out because of injuries — Doncic with a grade 2 left hamstring strain and Reaves with a grade 2 left oblique strain — and neither is expected to play in the best-of-seven, first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets that begins Saturday at 5:30 p.m. at Crypto.com Arena.
After practice Friday, coach JJ Redick was quick to say “there’s not” when asked about an update on Doncic and Reaves.
After Doncic and Reaves were injured on April 2 at Oklahoma City, the Lakers said both would be out until the end of the regular season. According to people not authorized to speak on the matter, both are expected to be out four to six weeks.
Doncic went to Spain to get treatment, and Reaves has been working diligently in L.A., with the hope that they can return sooner.
The Lakers miss their combined output of 56.8 points, 13.8 assists and 12.4 rebounds per game. Doncic led the NBA in scoring (33.5) and was third in assists (8.3); he was second on the Lakers in rebounding (7.7).
During the week of practice, Reaves was around his teammates and seen shooting after a few practices. He appeared to be in good spirits. Doncic was supposed to be back by Friday.
“We love having Austin here and we’re glad he is in a position to do his return-to-play [work], however long it takes with us,” Redick said. “Excited to get Luka back and be around the group. Austin and I talk just about every day about different things. So he’s … just being a part of this. …
“The mindset for our team and for those two guys, like we’re gonna try to make this season as long as possible so that we can get those guys back at some point. We don’t know what that is, and that’s just our job. And their job is to do everything they can to be in a position to come back at some point. It may not work, but that’s what we’re trying to do.”
The theme of the Lakers’ week at practice was to “elevate” their work.
Yes, they won’t have Doncic and Reaves, but that didn’t mean the Lakers couldn’t work harder.
When they worked on box-out drills in preparation for the way the Rockets attack the offensive boards, the Lakers went hard. When they watched film and had practice sessions, the Lakers worked with a purpose.
“The word we’ve used all week is ‘elevate.’ I think that’s what it is,” Redick said. “We all know the playoffs are different. They’re harder. There’s no easy matchups, and you have to be able to elevate your play. But beyond that, it’s elevating your recovery, your attention to detail, your preparation.
“I talked about that with my coaches as we started this week on Monday morning. It was an off day for the guys, but we were in there for six hours and we’ve all collectively gotta elevate. And particularly when you’re missing two of your top guys, part of elevating is elevating each other and the belief that the group as a whole can be great.”
The Rockets are a tough and rugged team that is good on defense and at rebounding.
They ranked fourth in the NBA in points given up (110.0) and sixth in opponents’ field-goal percentage (46.0). They were tops in rebounding (48.1) and offensive rebounds (15.0).
That has the Lakers’ attention and is why they worked so hard during practice.
“It’s been great. The level of focus and attention to detail, the communication, everything has been elevated,” forward Jarred Vanderbilt said. “We’ve got a lot of guys that’s been to the playoffs and know what it takes.
“Like you said, everything elevates around this time and having a veteran group that’s kind of been there and had a taste of the playoffs, we all know what it takes to win games in the playoffs. It’s everybody going out and doing their job and paying attention to the game plan.”
Sports
Lamar Jackson absent from Ravens OTA as new coach Jesse Minter downplays voluntary practice skip
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The Baltimore Ravens were without their two-time NFL MVP quarterback when Tuesday’s organized team activities (OTAs) began.
Why Lamar Jackson was absent from Tuesday’s media-open practice remains unclear. Monday’s voluntary OTAs were closed to reporters. New Ravens coach Jesse Minter offered little explanation but downplayed concerns about Jackson’s absence and suggested the star quarterback would return soon.
“Lamar’s been one of our leaders of the offseason program, and he had a couple things going on yesterday and today, and I do expect him to be back soon,” Minter said. “We’ve had some great conversations. I know when he’s going to be back and again, I’ll probably leave those between me and Lamar.”
Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens watches the NFL preseason game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md., on Aug. 23, 2025. (Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
Minter replaced John Harbaugh, who was dismissed in January after 18 seasons as the Ravens’ head coach. The New York Giants hired Harbaugh shortly after his departure from Baltimore.
Jackson’s attendance at voluntary offseason activities has drawn attention because of its inconsistency throughout his NFL career. It’s hard to say how much that matters, but it’s certainly an issue critics have pointed to from time to time. His contract, with two years remaining, has also been a significant topic lately after he and the Ravens did not agree to an extension before the start of free agency. Baltimore instead restructured Jackson’s deal to create cap space.
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The Ravens held minicamp in April — the first under Minter — and Jackson was in attendance.
At the end of Tuesday’s OTAs, the team took part in a little game in which players from the offense and defense competed at throwing medicine balls. Minter said that’s part of preparing the team to play well in the most important moments.
New Baltimore Ravens head coach Jesse Minter is introduced during a news conference at Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Maryland, on Jan. 29, 2026. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
“We end practice every day (with an) ‘At our best when our best is needed’ period, and so that could be anything different. Today, we decided to do a little friendly competition,” Minter said.
“Right now, you can’t really do the football competition, and so I thought it would be something different, something fun. I try to get guys to not know what’s about to happen and answer the bell when their number’s called, and it’s as simple as that. That’s really all we’re trying to get done with that and make it fun, have the guys pull for each other.”
Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens warms up before the game against the New England Patriots at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md., on Dec. 21, 2025. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
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Star running back Derrick Henry caused a brief scare after a knee-to-knee collision with another player. Though he stayed down momentarily, he later returned to practice.
“The ground felt like a bed for a little while,” he said. “And I saw you all (reporters) looking hot and bored, so I was like, ‘I need to give them something to tweet and write about.’”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Sports
High school softball: Southern Section Tuesday playoff scores and upcoming schedule
SOUTHERN SECTION BASEBALL PLAYOFFS
TUESDAY’S RESULTS
THIRD ROUND
DIVISION 1
Pool A
Norco 9, Ayala 2
Pool B
Corona 6, Corona Santiago 1
Pool C
Cypress 8, Sierra Canyon 0
Pool D
La Mirada 11, Huntington Beach 1
SECOND ROUND
DIVISION 2
Elsinore 6, Santa Margarita 4
Ganesha 5, South Hills 2
Newport Harbor 4, Great Oak 1
Aquinas 5, Gahr 3
Santa Ana Foothill 3, Servite 0
Yucaipa 17, Royal 2
Loyola 7, Chaminade 6
Alemany 9, Westlake 6
DIVISION 3
Mira Costa 6, Redondo Union 3
Dos Pueblos 10, Edison 7
Warren 10, Palos Verdes 1
St. Francis 5, Cajon 2
Agoura 3, Garden Grove Pacifica 0
Fullerton 7, Corona del Mar 6
Millikan 3, Beckman 1
Summit 5, Arcadia 4
DIVISION 4
Saugus 11, San Marino 10
Rio Mesa 4, Claremont 2
Glendora at Katella, Wednesday
Anaheim Canyon 4, Upland 1
Marina 11, La Quinta 4
Grand Terrace 4, Palm Desert 0
Laguna Beach 7, Woodbridge 2
Moorpark 8, Monrovia 6
DIVISION 5
Irvine 3, Citrus Valley 2
Cathedral 2, Long Beach Poly 1
Kaiser 5, Quartz Hill 4
Santa Barbara 12, Paramount 5
Long Beach Wilson 2, Jurupa Hills 1
Temescal Canyon 7, Riverside Prep 6
Culver City 6, St. Bonaventure 2
St. Bernard 4, Bishop Montgomery 0
DIVISION 6
Brentwood 9, Ontario 7
Foothill Tech 4, Canyon Springs 0
Trinity Classical Academy 5, Troy 3
El Rancho 8, Northwood 0
Western Christian 5, Savanna 3
Covina 15, Alhambra 5
Muir at Santa Ana Calvary Chapel, late
Lakewood 6, Crossroads 2
DIVISION 7
Carpinteria 7, New Roads 2
North Torrance 7, Grace 0
Santa Paula 11, Fontana 1
Patriot 3, Victor Valley 2
South El Monte 3, Hemet 2
Golden Valley 6, Jurupa Valley 3
Arroyo 4, Carter 3
Norwalk 4, Garden Grove 1
DIVISION 8
Rancho Alamitos 13, Edgewood 10
Chadwick 26, Pasadena Marshall 23
Wildomar Cornerstone Christian 7, Rio Hondo Prep 3
Oxford Academy 4, Rosemead 3
Duarte 4, Santa Clarita Christian 2
Nuview Bridge 3, Nordhoff 2
Artesia 10, Magnolia 5
Anaheim vs. Schurr at Rio Hondo College
DIVISION 9
Lennox Academy 6, Dunn 4
Crossroads Christian 9, St. Monica Academy 8
Ojai Valley 2, San Bernardino 0
Webb 5, Yucca Valley 3
Rolling Hills Prep 11, Ambassador Christian 3
Riverside Bethel Christian 6, Westminster 4
Temecula Prep 22, Cobalt 1
Garden Grove Santiago 7, St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy 6
FRIDAY’S SCHEDULE
(Games at 3:15 p.m. unless noted)
QUARTERFINALS
DIVISION 1
Corona at Sherman Oaks Notre Dame
Norco at Orange Lutheran
St. John Bosco at La Mirada
Cypress at Harvard-Westlake
DIVISION 2
Ganesha at Elsinore
Aquinas at Newport Harbor
Foothill at Yucaipa
Loyola at Alemany
DIVISION 3
Mira Costa at Dos Pueblos
St. Francis at Warren
Fullerton at Agoura
Summit at Millikan
DIVISION 4
Saugus at Rio Mesa
Glendora / Katella vs. Anaheim Canyon
Marina at Grand Terrace
Laguna Beach at Moorpark
DIVISION 5
Irvine at Cathedral
Santa Barbara at Kaiser
Temescal Canyon at Long Beach Wilson
Culver City at St. Bernard
DIVISION 6
Foothill Tech at Brentwood
El Rancho at Trinity Classical Academy
Covina at Western Christian
Lakewood vs. Muir /Santa Ana Calvary Chapel
DIVISION 7
Carpinteria at North Torrance
Santa Paula at Patriot
South El Monte at Golden Valley
Norwalk at Arroyo
DIVISION 8
Chadwick at Rancho Alamitos
Oxford Academy at Wildomar Cornerstone Christian
Duarte at Nuview Bridge
Schurr at Artesia
DIVISION 9
Crossroads Christian at Lennox Academy
HajI Valley at Webb
Riverside Bethel Christian at Rolling Hills Prep
Temecula Prep at Garden Grove Santiago
Note: Semifinals in all divisions May 26; Finals in all divisions May 29-30.
Sports
NFL owners unanimously vote to bring Super Bowl LXIV to Nashville’s new $2 billion stadium in 2030
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The soundtrack of Super Bowl LXIV will have a Nashville, Tenn., twang because the NFL on Tuesday awarded the place known as Music City its biggest event — the championship game set to be played in February 2030.
The announcement was made at the NFL Spring League Meeting in Orlando following a review of the proposal by the NFL’s Fan Engagement & Major Events Committee and a vote by full ownership.
Owners voted 32-0 to approve the Music City Super Bowl.
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“The 2019 NFL Draft in Nashville was one of the great fan events in our history,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “Super Bowl LXIV at the new stadium is the next step in this remarkable football journey. The vision of Amy Adams Strunk and the Tennessee Titans helped make this moment possible, along with our great partners at the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. We can’t wait to put on an unforgettable show in 2030.”
This could be the biggest thing for Nashville sports since the Music City Miracle in January 2000. And that happened because the Houston Oilers moved to Nashville in 1997.
The place has come a long way since then.
Nashville and the renamed Tennessee Titans are in the process of building a new $2.1 billion stadium, which is scheduled to open in time for the 2027 season. The new Nissan Stadium will be in operation for its third season when it is slated to host Super Bowl LXIV to culminate the 2029 season (played in February 2030).
During what was billed as the Steel Topping Out ceremony at new Nissan Stadium in November, Goodell was very complimentary of the franchise’s facility, and even dropped hints that a Super Bowl could be headed to Nashville someday.
Now we know it’s happening.
“Hosting the Super Bowl is a defining moment for Nashville and Tennessee and reflects years of work to build Music City into a globally recognized destination for music, entertainment, and live events,” Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp. President & CEO Deana Ivey said in a statement.
“This event is an incredible opportunity to showcase the dynamic and creative character of Nashville to a global audience and to deliver a Super Bowl experience that is distinctly Music City, where music, sports, culture, and hospitality come together in a way few cities can match.”
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Super Bowl LXI is set for SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on Feb. 14, 2027. Super Bowl LXII will be played at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Feb. 13, 2028.
And then Las Vegas will host Super Bowl LXIII in February 2029 with a date to be set later.
NFL owners on Tuesday also voted to approve holding the 2028 NFL Draft in Minneapolis.
The view of construction at the 200 level looking south at the new Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., on March 3, 2025. (Mark Zaleski/The Tennessean/USA TODAY NETWORK)
The Minnesota bid was focused on the major event at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Twin Cities will hold other portions of the draft’s festivities at the Mall of America and other sites.
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After leaving New York City’s Radio City Music Hall and Marriott Marquis before that, the draft was in Chicago twice, and then in Philadelphia, Dallas, Nashville, Cleveland, Las Vegas, Kansas City, Detroit, Green Bay and Pittsburgh. Next year’s draft will be in Washington, D.C.
Pittsburgh set a record for NFL Draft attendance in April when 775,000 people attended the three-day event. The draft next year in the nation’s capital is expected to set a new record.
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