Braden makes strong progress from surgery

PHOENIX (AP) - Dallas Braden decided against being a world traveler this winter, realizing his rehabilitation from shoulder surgery took top priority.

Giants thrilled to be healthy, together

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) - Scottsdale Stadium went silent not once but twice Sunday.

Mahan stops McIlroy in Match Play golf

MARANA, Ariz. (AP) - Even as Hunter Mahan motored his way through the Match Play Championship by beating one tough opponent after another, he had reason to feel he was just along for the ride in the final match Sunday afternoon.

Sports News Brief

FOOTBALL

Ski Report

Stewart seeks 1st win in Daytona 500

Tsonga, Del Potro, Tipsarevic reach Open 13 semisfinals

MARSEILLE, France (AP) - Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Juan Martin del Potro each won for the 200th time in his career Friday, setting up a semifinal between the two at the Open 13. The top-seeded Tsonga beat Edouard Roger-Vasselin 6-4, 7-5 in an all-French quarterfinal, and Del Potro edged Richard Gasquet 7-5, 7-6 (5). The other semifinal pits Janko ...

Patrick wins pole for Nationwide race

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) - In about 24 hours, Danica Patrick went from her biggest crash to her biggest moment in a stock car. The former IndyCar star won the pole Friday for the season-opening Nationwide Series race at Daytona, becoming the first woman to secure the top qualifying spot in NASCAR's second-tier series since Shawna Robinson at Atlanta on March 12, ...

Not an All-Star, but Lin stars in Orlando

Luck, Griffin get chance to meet with scouts

A break from Lin to put focus back on Howard’s future at NBA All-Star game

Defending champion Caroline Wozniacki beaten in Dubai semis

Serena joins sister Venus at Family Circle

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) - Serena Williams will join sister Venus at the Family Circle Cup championships in April. The younger Williams sister committed to play the clay court tournament this week. Venus announced she was playing earlier this month. Both Williams sisters are past champions at the Family Circle. Venus won the title in 2004 and Serena won ...

Miller, Nelson top Hall of Fame finalists

Kobe Bryant a no-show at All-Star media session

Spurs outlast Golden State in double OT

SAN ANTONIO (AP) - Manu Ginobili's 3-pointer from the wing with 1.2 seconds left in double overtime lifted the San Antonio Spurs to a thrilling 129-127 victory over the Golden State Warriors and Stephen Curry's 44 points in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinals Monday night.

Phillies Cliff Lee dominates San Francisco once again

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Cliff Lee shut down the Giants once again with eight strong innings, Michael Young hit a two-run double among his three hits, and the Philadelphia Phillies stopped San Francisco's season-best six-game winning streak with a 6-2 victory Monday night.

Sharks look to close out Canucks with sweep

SAN JOSE (AP) - San Jose Sharks coach Todd McLellan sees no need to remind his team of the precariousness of a 3-0 series lead in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Parker hammered as A’s battered by Indians

CLEVELAND (AP) - Jarrod Parker's neck was already sore before the game.

NHL capsules

NEW YORK (AP) - Derek Stepan and Arron Asham both scored tiebreaking goals in the third period for the New York Rangers in a 4-3 victory over the Washington Capitals in Game 3 on Monday night.

Warriors’ Curry captivating crowds

OAKLAND (AP) - Spurs coach Gregg Popovich pokes fun at questions from reporters all the time and can be easily irritated and annoyed, especially after losses, which is what made his reaction to Stephen Curry sinking seven 3-pointers in Golden State's 116-106 win over San Antonio last month such a rare scene.

Thunder earn 2-0 series lead

BOISE, Idaho – Andrew Clark buried a wrist shot during a goal mouth scramble with 8:21 left in sudden death overtime to lift the Stockton Thunder to a 4-3 overtime victory over the Idaho Steelheads in Game 2 of the Western Conference Final before 2,769 fans at Century Link Arena on Sunday.

LA Dodgers lick wounds after loss to San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Another game, another injury and another walkoff loss for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Grant Balfour fans Wells, saving A’s over Yankees

NEW YORK (AP) - Grant Balfour was angry.

Sharks take 3-0 series lead over Canucks

SAN JOSE . (AP) - Joe Pavelski and Logan Couture each scored twice to spoil Cory Schneider's return to the nets for Vancouver and the San Jose Sharks won their third straight game to open the playoffs, beating the Canucks 5-2 on Sunday night.

Derby winner prepares for Preakness

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Now that Shug McGaughey has won the Kentucky Derby, it's time for the 62-year-old trainer to go after another race missing from his Hall of Fame resume.

Ernst wins Wells Fargo in a playoff

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - One phone call changed his plans. One shot changed a whole lot more for Derek Ernst.

Kerr wins Kingsmill in 2-hole playoff

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (AP) - Cristie Kerr made a short par putt on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff with Suzann Pettersen on Sunday to win the Kingsmill Championship for the third time.

Durant, Thunder edge Grizzlies in Game 1

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Down by one in the final minute, the Oklahoma City's Derek Fisher turned a tough situation for the Thunder into the worst-case scenario for the Grizzlies.

James wins MVP for his fourth time

MIAMI (AP) - LeBron James was at his best this season, and the voters tasked with selecting the NBA's Most Valuable Player took notice.