Clark to sign $28M Nike deal
Caitlin Clark, the most prolific scorer in NCAA Division I history and the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft, will continue her association with Nike by reportedly signing a $28 million contract that spans eight years and includes a signature shoe.
The new deal would be the richest sponsorship contract for a women’s basketball player.
Clark also became the first twotime winner of the James E. Sullivan Award, which goes to the nation’s most outstanding athlete at the college or Olympic level.
DePaul men’s basketball coach Chris Holtmann added former Butler and Milwaukee coach Lavall Jordan to his coaching staff. In addition to his assistant-coaching duties, Jordan will serve as the team’s general manager.
NBA
Pacers end playoff skid, even series with Bucks
Pascal Siakam scored 37 points and the Pacers overcame another fantastic first-half performance from Damian Lillard (26 of 34 points) to beat the Bucks 125-108 and tie their first-round playoff series at a game apiece.
The Pacers snapped a 10-game playoff losing streak that began with a Game 7 loss to the Cavaliers in a first-round series in 2018.
Jaden McDaniels scored 25 points for a career best in the playoffs and spearheaded another stifling defensive performance by the Timberwolves in a 105-93 victory over the Suns to take a 2-0 lead in their first-round series.
The Timberwolves offset the smothering of AllStar Anthony Edwards, whom the Suns held to 15 points on 3-for-12 shooting.
Tyrese Maxey was fouled twice before his turnover that led to the go-ahead three-pointer by Donte DiVincenzo in the Knicks’ victory over the 76ers in Game 2, the NBA determined. The league also said that 76ers coach Nick Nurse twice attempted to call timeouts that were “neither recognized nor granted by the officials” during the possession.
NHL
Verhaeghe wins it in OT, Panthers take 2-0 lead
Carter Verhaeghe lifted a backhander just under the crossbar 2:59 into overtime, and the Panthers beat the Lightning 3-2 for a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series. Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky stopped a shot with his mask, then made a diving, no-look save that they’ll remember in Florida for a long time.
† Vincent Trocheck and Mika Zibanejad each had a goal and an assist and the Presidents’ Trophywinning Rangers held on to beat the Capitals 4-3 for a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.