Cleveland, OH

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Denver, CO

Denver carries a 2-1 series lead into Friday night's game in Miami. The Miami Heat are hosting the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of the 2023 NBA Finals on Friday night. Denver enters with a 2-1 series lead and Miami is trying to even the series back up on its home floor. The Nuggets, meanwhile, are two wins from their first title in franchise history after Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray starred in a Game 3 win on Wednesday.

NBA Finals score: Heat vs. Nuggets live updates from Game 4 as Nikola Jokic, Denver go for commanding lead

The Denver Nuggets are currently playing in their first ever NBA Finals, but that doesn't mean they aren't thinking about the future. On Friday, they agreed to trade a protected 2029 first-round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for the least favorable of Oklahoma City's 2024 first-round picks, the No. 37 overall pick in the 2023 draft and a 2024 second-round pick, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Nuggets make rare in-Finals trade as they swap draft picks with Thunder, per report

On the surface it may seem like Jamal Murray followed up his 30-point triple-double in Game 3 of the NBA Finals with a bit of a dud. In the Denver Nuggets' 108-95 Game 4 win over the Miami Heat on Friday, Murray scored a mere 15 points on ugly 5-for-17 shooting. But when you take a closer look at his numbers they actually may have been even more impressive than Wednesday's gaudy Game 3 stat line.

NBA Finals: Jamal Murray is in same sentence as Magic Johnson after Game 4 performance of the Nuggets' star

Denver could win its first title at home on Monday. The Denver Nuggets are one win away from the franchise's first NBA championship after a 108-95 win against the Miami Heat in Game 4 of the NBA Finals Friday night. It was a balanced effort from the Western Conference champions, with three Nuggets players scoring at least 20 points, led by Aaron Gordon's 27 points. Nikola Jokic added on 23 points to go along with 12 rebounds, four assists and three steals, while Bruce Brown poured in 21 points off the bench.

NBA Finals score: Nuggets use balanced attack to pull away from Heat, take commanding 3-1 series lead

Bruce Brown has been overlooked for his entire NBA career. He fell to the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft, where he was taken by the Pistons and shipped out of Detroit for another second-round pick two years later. He flourished in an unconventional role with the Brooklyn Nets, but when Ben Simmons was acquired to play a more expensive version of that same role, his time in Brooklyn came to an end. His free-agent market was tepid. A total of 31 players earned more money than he did on the open market last season when he settled for Denver's taxpayer mid-level exception.

NBA Finals: Bruce Brown is playing his way into a payday the Nuggets probably can't match

Las Vegas, NV

Karlsson missed Wednesday's practice because of an illness, according to Ben Gotz of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Karlsson is still probable for Game 3 on Thursday. It would be a big loss for Vegas if he isn't able to play, especially given that he's provided 10 goals and 15 points in 19 playoff contests this year. If Karlsson isn't available Thursday, then Teddy Blueger might draw into the lineup for the first time since May 25.

Golden Knights' William Karlsson: Misses practice with illness

Minneapolis, MN

Thielbar was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday with a right oblique strain, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. Thielbar just returned from the same injury this past weekend and made just one appearance before evidently suffering a setback. He missed more than a month with the injury the first time around. Josh Winder is taking Thielbar's spot in the bullpen.

Twins' Caleb Thielbar: Headed back to IL

Dallas, TX

The injury that caused Dadonov to miss Dallas' final three playoff contests was an MCL strain, Stars general manager Jim Nill told Brian Rea of Bally Sports Southwest on Thursday. Dadonov hasn't fully recovered from the injury. He recorded seven goals and 33 points in 73 regular-season outings in 2022-23...

Stars' Evgenii Dadonov: Has MCL strain

Lamb (leg) is reportedly fine following his exit from Wednesday's minicamp practice, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports. Per Mickey Spagnola of the Cowboys' official site, Lamb appeared to be favoring his left leg after landing awkwardly while making a catch during Wednesday's session, but the issue doesn't look like anything serious and shouldn't impact Lamb's status for next month's training camp. This coming season, the 2020 first-rounder is in line to continue to head a Dallas pass-catching corps that bid adieu to TE Dalton Schultz this offseason while adding veteran wideout Brandin Cooks. In 17 games in 2022, Lamb paced the team with 107 catches for 1,359 yards and nine TDs on 156 targets.

Cowboys' CeeDee Lamb: Leg issue downplayed

New York City, NY

Horse racing's Triple Crown concludes on Saturday when nine 3-year-olds leave the starting gate in the 2023 Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park outside New York City. For the fifth straight year, no Triple Crown will be on the line in the Belmont; Kentucky Derby winner Mage lost the Preakness Stakes and is skipping Saturday's race. However, the Belmont features an evenly matched field, with four horses listed at 5-1 or shorter on the morning line.

2023 Belmont Stakes start time, odds, preview: Forte returns, plus horse profiles, bet strategies

Florida State

In a move many were expecting, the Minnesota Vikings have cut ties with star running back Dalvin Cook, as NFL Media first reported. This move primarily had to do with money, as Cook was due $10.4 million in base salary this season, $11.9 million in 2024 and $12.9 million in 2025, per Spotrac. The Vikings save $9 million in cap space with this transaction.

Dalvin Cook released: Landing spots for the four-time Pro Bowl running back after Vikings cut ties

Chicago, IL

Patrick (toe) has been taking part in practices during OTAs, Gene Chamberlain of SI.com reports. Patrick signed a two-year deal with Chicago last offseason but ended the 2022 campaign on injured reserve after undergoing surgery in November. The veteran offensive lineman should be good to go for the start of training camp and will likely serve as a depth option at either center or guard.

Bears' Lucas Patrick: Participating at OTAs

Colorado State

Boulder, CO

Colorado coach Deion Sanders responded to comments made by Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi, who has been critical of Sanders' roster overhaul with the Buffaloes. Narduzzi said Sanders' method of roster building is 'bad on college football coaches across the country' after Colorado has seen over 70 players depart from the program since Sanders' arrival last winter.

Colorado coach Deion Sanders claps back at criticism from Pitt's Pat Narduzzi: 'I don't know who he is'

Atlanta, GA

Murphy is out of the lineup Thursday against the Mets. This would appear to be a routine day of rest for Murphy, who caught the first two games of Atlanta's three-game series versus New York. Travis d'Arnaud is starting behind the plate and batting cleanup.

Braves' Sean Murphy: Gets breather Thursday

Jacksonville, FL

The Jacksonville Jaguars have unveiled the long-term plans for their current stadium as the franchise released renderings for the "Stadium of the Future" this week. The updated look of TIAA Bank Field was revealed on Wednesday, representing the next step in the team's efforts to transform downtown Jacksonville. The Jaguars'...

Jaguars unveil design plans for 'Stadium of the Future,' take next step in transforming downtown Jacksonville

Tampa, FL

Lowe will be shut down from baseball activities for 2-to-3 weeks due to a herniated disc in his back, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. The hope is that the injury will heal following the shutdown period, although there are no guarantees. He will need a build-up period after abandoning activities until late June, so there would seem to be a good chance Lowe is out until around the All-Star break. Lowe also missed much of last season with back problems.

Rays' Brandon Lowe: Shut down with herniated disc

Tennessee State

Nashville, TN

Henry, who has spent more time in Nashville this offseason compared to previous years, has been been in town for all six of the Titans' voluntary OTAs, including Tuesday's minicamp, Jim Wyatt of the team's official site reports. The Titans' clear-cut top back noted that his increased offseason presence stems...

Titans' Derrick Henry: Absorbing new offense

Philadelphia, PA

PHILADELPHIA -- The final day of OTA practice certainly wasn't long for the Philadelphia Eagles, who had to practice indoors due to the air quality conditions taking over the Northeast from the wildfires in Canada. Even though the Eagles wrapped things up until training camp in July, the team provided a glimpse of what to expect in six weeks.

Eagles OTA observations: Christian Elliss takes first-team linebacker snaps, picks off Jalen Hurts

Kansas City, MO

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is all about the rights of the people, especially the right to party. He tested the limits of those rights when the Super Bowl LVII champion Kansas City Chiefs visited the White House on Monday. President Joe Biden gave a speech, and head coach Andy Reid spoke as part of the proceedings as well.

Chiefs' Travis Kelce reveals what he wanted to say at White House podium before Patrick Mahomes stopped him

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Natalie Frank, Ph.D.

As Mayor Lori Lightfoot prepares to leave office, she signs executive orders to guild her administrations accomplishments and shape the path for her successor's administration.

Mayor Lightfoot Concludes Term by Signing Executive Orders, That Could Force Successor to Continue Her Initiatives

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Cavaliers' Dylan Windler: Scores 20 points off bench

Windler had 20 points (7-10 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 1-2 FT), seven rebounds, three assists...

Cavaliers' Dylan Windler: Scores 20 points off bench

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