AP California

By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James made sure the Lakers had the appropriate urgency for a closeout playoff game. Their raucous fans constantly urged them to end an infuriating decade without a postseason celebration on the Lakers’ home court. When that much passion coincided with a spectacular defensive performance

By MAX MILLER Associated Press OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Just 6,423 fans showed up for the Athletics’ first home game since announcing a deal for land to build a ballpark in Las Vegas, many chanting “Sell the team!” and “Stay in Oakland!” during an 11-7 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night. “Obviously, they

By JOE REEDY AP Sports Writer COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) — Tom Telesco and Brandon Staley did not need to look far to find the players the Los Angeles Chargers took Friday on the second day of the NFL draft. Southern California defensive end Tuli Tuipulotu and Washington State linebacker Daiyan Henley are Los Angeles

By ANDREW SELSKY Associated Press SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan is in hot water, with Republican lawmakers calling for her resignation and the Democratic governor seeking investigations because Fagan took a consulting job with a marijuana firm. Fagan released a statement late Friday saying she welcomed the governor’s inquiry. “I

By BRIAN HALL Associated Press EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — After taking USC wide receiver Jordan Addison in the first round of the NFL draft, the Minnesota Vikings had a long wait before they were back on the clock. The wait was long, the distance wasn’t. Minnesota eventually selected Addison’s teammate and Trojans cornerback Mekhi Blackmon

By DAN GREENSPAN Associated Press TARZANA, Calif. (AP) — When Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead asked Aaron Donald what traits the 2023 draft class should have, the historically great defensive lineman had one reply. “‘Just make sure they care,’” Snead said. The Rams took that to heart in drafting

By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jack is back. Los Angeles Lakers superfan Jack Nicholson was watching at courtside for the first time in nearly two years Friday night when his team hosted the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 6 of their first-round playoff series. The 86-year-old Nicholson hadn’t been in his

By MICHAEL WAGAMAN Associated Press SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — With the exception of finding a replacement for kicker Robbie Gould, the San Francisco 49ers felt going into the NFL draft that they had a chance to stock the shelves and add depth to an already talented roster. Coach Kyle Shanahan feels they did just

By CARLOS RODRIGUEZ Associated Press MEXICO CITY (AP) — Before coming to Mexico for a two-day series against the San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler said he was planning on some sight-seeing in the city. He ended up seeing more than he expected. Kapler took the subway from the team’s hotel in

RENTON, Wash. (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks added depth to their defensive front by selecting Auburn edge rusher Derick Hall with the 37th pick of the NFL draft on Friday night, and then added a running back later in the second round, taking UCLA’s Zach Charbonnet at No. 52 overall. Hall had 19 1/2 sacks

By JOE REEDY AP Sports Writer COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) — Tuli Tuipulotu has spent most of his life in Los Angeles, but he was preparing for the possibility of leaving home to continue his football career. As it turned out, the Southern California defensive end found out Friday night that he will remain in

By JANIE McCAULEY AP Sports Writer SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Gary Payton II beamed as he shared the special news: He’s now a college graduate. The Golden State guard promised his mother he would one day earn his degree from Oregon State, and on Friday morning ahead of Game 6 of the first-round playoff series

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) — A Southern California man accused of killing three teenage boys by intentionally ramming their car after they played a doorbell-ringing prank on him was found guilty Friday of murder. Anurag Chandra was convicted in a Riverside County courtroom of three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of attempted murder. “The

By BRIAN HALL Associated Press EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Jordan Addison and the Minnesota Vikings hit it off during his pre-draft visit, which ended a vow from coach Kevin O’Connell that they would take him with the 23rd overall pick in the NFL draft if the USC wide receiver was still available. “Once Minnesota came

By SOPHIE AUSTIN Associated Press/Report for America SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — New big rigs and buses that run on diesel would not be sold in California starting in 2036, according to new rules approved by state regulators Friday to wean the state off fossil fuels and combat climate change. The rule would tackle pollution from