From backlash to Pacific title: The Golden Knights’ Tortorella gamble paying off so far

LAS VEGAS (AP) — General manager Kelly McCrimmon was walking away from the Golden Knights' locker room Monday night after avictory over the Jets, but he could have easily reversed course and done a victory lap in front of the assembled media.

Golden Knights Canucks Hockey

McCrimmon probably would say it's too early to celebrate because the NHL playoffs have yet to begin, and that will be the true measure of how successful Vegas' season is viewed.

But it's difficult to argue his controversial decision March 29 tofire popular and successful coach Bruce Cassidyand hireJohn Tortorellahasn't worked out.

Going into its playoff opener at home Sunday against Utah, Vegas is 7-0-1 under the fiery coach known as Torts. A team struggling to hang on to a playoff spot just wonthe Pacific Divisionfor the fifth time in their nine years.

Top center Jack Eichel, who had 90 points for the second consecutive season, said Tortorella injected confidence in a team that was lacking it just three years afterwinning the Stanley Cup.

“Sometimes you need a reminder,” Eichel said. “He saw we have a really good hockey team in here and we need to believe in ourselves and in each other. That's the first step to being a great hockey team is believing in ourselves. I think you've started to see that the last few weeks. We started to build more confidence in each other and our game.”

The 67-year-old Tortorella, who led the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Stanley Cup title in 2004, said at his introductory news conference that he wouldn't overload the team with information and make massive changes. It's a strategy he's stuck to since then.

“I knew it was a good team coming in,” Tortorella said this week. “I know it was coached well prior to me. I had some points of emphasis, probably three or four, that I want to bring across to them. We've done that. I think they feel good about themselves. When you win some games, you feel good about yourself, and hopefully we keep on building on that.”

Tortorella made two notable changes that have worked.

One was to create a more aggressive north-south game. Vegas went from scoring 3.12 goals per game and allowing 3.07 to outscoring opponents on average 4.13 to 1.88.

“Attack the games. Put pressure on the other team,” Eichel said.

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The other move was to go with Carter Hart as his primary goalie. Cassidy installed Adin Hill in that role down the stretch, but Tortorella coached Hart in Philadelphia and has spoken glowingly about him. Tortorella said Hart was carrying the Flyers into contender status in 2024 before he was suspended by the NHL as one of five 2018 Canada world junior hockey players accused in a high-profile sexual assault case.

Theywere acquittedlast July. The league reinstated those players beginning Dec. 1 and the Golden Knightsgave Hart a chance. He has delivered under Tortorella's watch, going 6-0 with a .930 save percentage and a 1.66 goals-against average.

“I think he looks dialed in,” Tortorella said. “I just think he's making saves. He just looks confident, and hopefully that'll continue. I think Hilly's last couple of starts, he's made some really good saves also. So going into the playoffs, if both of them are going well, that's a good thing for us.”

McCrimmon said the decision to fire Cassidy was a difficult one, especially since the coach was responsible for the organization's only Stanley Cup and they were consistently on the same page. But the GM said the season and its playoff chances appeared to be slipping away and there was little time to wait. He knew the decision would be criticized but that wasn't the point.

“When we've changed coaches along the way — I'm going to say each time — it was likely viewed in this room as being unpopular or not the right time,” McCrimmon said March 30 at a news conference. “And I think in each case, the decisions were good ones.”

The decisions to fire Gerard Gallant in 2020, Pete DeBoer in 2022 and Cassidy this year — all with winning playoff records — were met with wide skepticism but management largely got the results they desired.

That includes with Tortorella, but the postseason is coming.

Then the true verdict will be delivered.

So the victory lap is on hold — for now.

AP NHL:https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

April 18, 2026

From backlash to Pacific title: The Golden Knights’ Tortorella gamble paying off so far

LAS VEGAS (AP) — General manager Kelly McCrimmon was walking away from the Golden Knights' locker room Monday night after avictory ...

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Iranian soccer players in Australia thankful for 'safe haven'

Two members of the Iranian women's soccer team who were granted asylum in Australia last month, released a joint statement Friday thanking the Australian government for assistance with "the process of rebuilding our lives."

Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh were the only two of seven members of the Iran traveling party who remained in Australia after the group first sought asylum during the Asian Cup tournament. Four players and one staff member ultimately returned to Iran.

During their time in Australia so far, both players had the chance to train with A-League team Brisbane Roar FC.

"At this stage, our primary focus is on our safety, our health and beginning the process of rebuilding our lives," the pair said in a statement released through the Australian Associated Press. "We are elite athletes, and it remains our dream to continue our sporting careers here in Australia."

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Pasandideh and Ramezanisadeh thanked the Australian government, in particular home affairs minister Tony Burke, for providing "a safe haven in this beautiful country."

The team arrived in Australia in late February, just before the United States and Israel began air strikes against Iran. The team did not sing the words to the Iranian national anthem before a March 2 game against South Korea, setting off a controversy back home, but sang the words in subsequent games.

"We've been working very, very closely with them, but obviously this is a very complex situation," Matt Thistlethwaite, an assistant immigration minister for Australia, told Sky News last month. "... They're being given all the support of the Australian government and indeed the diaspora community to remain here and settle in Australia."

--Field Level Media

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

April 18, 2026

Iranian soccer players in Australia thankful for 'safe haven'

Two members of the Iranian women's soccer team who were granted asylum in Australia last month, released a joint statement Friday t...

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Nuggets center Nikola Jokic surges into playoffs after a scary knee injury and historic season

DENVER (AP) — Around playoff time,Nikola Jokicalways looks to make a big splash — on the court, obviously, but also in the water.

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The Denver Nuggets do-it-all center typically opens his swimming pool at this point of the year — weather permitting — for he and his kids to have some fun. Turns out, floating around in between lofting floaters is the perfect way for him to take a break from the pressure of leading the team on a title chase.

Jokic and the Nuggets earned the No. 3 seed with a 54-win season and will face a familiar foe inAnthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolvesduring a first-round series that starts Saturday.

Statisticallyand physically, this has been a season unlike any other for Jokic.

On the numbers side, Jokic became the first player to lead the league in both rebounds and assists per game since 1969-70, when leaders were crowned through per-game averages. Wilt Chamberlain was tops in both categories in 1967-68, back when leaders were determined by totals.

On the health side, the three-time MVP endured the first major injury of his NBA career. He missed16 games in late December/Januarywith a hyperextended left knee. The team went 10-6 in his absence.

“It’s not a difficult year, but an inconsistent year, with the injuries, with the lineups, with everything,” explained Jokic, who averaged a triple-double (27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds and 10.7 assists) for a second straight season. “We still managed to be one of the top teams. That’s something telling about this team, and the group that we have in the locker room. We definitely show ourselves that we can answer to anything, and hopefully we’re going find a way and in the playoffs when the moment is big.”

The Nuggets enter with a wave of confidence, too, riding a 12-game winning streak. Ask him about it and his humor shines through.

“It's definitely better than a 12-game losing streak,” Jokic said. “When you’re playing well, everybody’s feeling good.”

A point guard at center

Jokic notched 34 triple-doubles in 65 games this season. That includes a memorable performance on Christmas Day against the Timberwolves, when he erupted for 56 points, 16 rebounds and 15 assistsin a 142-138 overtimewin.

“It’ll probably take a little bit of everything," Timberwolves forward Julius Randle said of guarding Jokic. “Probably got to call God and talk to him for a little bit and ask him for a few favors. ... He’s an incredible player. He does so much on the floor for that team.”

The 6-foot-11, 284-pound Jokic sees the floor through the prism of a point guard, with low-post moves few can stop and range extending past the 3-point line.

“He’s a joy to watch," said San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson, whose team could face the Nuggets in the second round. “He’s just so unique in so many ways.”

His teammates insist they don't take Jokic's production night in and night out for granted. Jokic's 198 career triple-doubles trail only former teammate Russell Westbrook (209). Jokic's 21 postseason triple-doubles are behind only Magic Johnson (30) and LeBron James (28).

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“Nothing has shocked me this year,” said teammate Christian Braun, who was a rookie when the Nuggets won the franchise's first NBA title in 2023. “But that’s probably not the right way to say it. Everything (Jokic) does shocks me. Every time I watch him, he shocks me."

Close call

The Nuggets exhaled in relief when they found out Jokic would only miss a few weeks after being hurt in Miami on Dec. 29. It was a scary scene: Jokic falling to the floor and grabbing at his knee after stepping on Spencer Jones’ foot.

Since his return on Jan. 30, he's missed one game. That run of good health allowed him to reach the 65-game threshold and become eligible for awards.

“He’s in a great place," Nuggets coach David Adelman said, "physically and mentally.”

Getting everyone involved

Jokic's hallmark is getting everyone involved. It might be a pass to Cam Johnson on the wing or setting picks to spring Jamal Murray for a drive or finding Aaron Gordon for an open look.

“We need everybody,” Jokic explained. “Everybody needs to step up.”

Adelman remains perplexed as to why Jokic doesn't receive more MVP buzz. The current odds favor Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to win again.

“I would say what stands out to me is how much he has not been talked about,” Adelman said. “I think it’s absolutely insane. I have no idea what the narrative is and why."

Jokic has certainly earned the respect of Minnesota big man Rudy Gobert.

“Whatever he does, he plays to win. He’s selfless," Gobert said. "He’s just here to show up, help his team win and go home. I like that. I respect that.”

AP Sports Writer Dave Campbell in Minneapolis and Associated Press freelance writer Raul Dominguez in San Antonio contributed to this report.

AP NBA:https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

April 17, 2026

Nuggets center Nikola Jokic surges into playoffs after a scary knee injury and historic season

DENVER (AP) — Around playoff time,Nikola Jokicalways looks to make a big splash — on the court, obviously, but also in the water. ...

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Demi Lovato reunites with Selena Gomez, Joe Jonas at tour's first show

Demi Lovatokicked off her new tour by going down memory lane with two Disney Channel reunions.

The "Heartattack" singer reunited with her "Princess Protection Program" costarSelena Gomezand "Camp Rock" costarJoe Jonasat an April 13 show at the Kia Center in Orlando.

Lovato and Jonas, who briefly dated in 2010, performed a surprise duet of their "Camp Rock" classic "This Is Me" for the first of 18 shows, part of her "It’s Not That Deep" tour. Lovato was previously a surprise guest at the opening concert for the "Jonas20"anniversary tourat New Jersey's MetLife Stadium on Aug. 10, where they also sang "This Is Me."

Though Gomez did not join the pair on stage, she was notably in attendance, singing Lovato's praises on social media.

"I am in tears,” Gomez wrote in herInstagram Storyon April 13, tagging Lovato. "This was hands down one of the best shows. Oh and the VOCALS? Psh *blown away."

The "Only Murders In The Building" actor then shared a photo of the pair embracing and posing backstage.

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Gomez also shared a photo of her in the audience, dancing and wearing an "It's Not That Deep" merchandise hoodie.

Demi Lovato andSelena Gomezfriendship

Before they were pop stars, Lovato and Gomez were costars at age 7 on "Barney and Friends" for two seasons.

Their paths crossed on Disney Channel, where Gomez starred in the show "Wizards of Waverly Place" while Lovato starred in the "Camp Rock" movie franchise and the "Sonny with the Chance" sitcom.

The pair costarred in "Princess Protection Program," a Disney Channel original movie, in 2009, the same year Gomez made a guest appearance on "Sonny With a Chance."

Though the duo seemed to have drifted apart as adults. In a 2014 episode of "Watch What Happens Live," Lovato explained to Andy Cohen why she chose to unfollow Gomez on X (known as Twitter at the time), saying, "I think it’s just one of those things where people changed and people grow apart."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Demi Lovato reunites with Selena Gomez, Joe Jonas at tour's first show

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

April 17, 2026

Demi Lovato reunites with Selena Gomez, Joe Jonas at tour's first show

Demi Lovatokicked off her new tour by going down memory lane with two Disney Channel reunions. The "Heartattack" singer...

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Ex-NBA player Damon Jones is expected to become first person to plead guilty in gambling sweep

NEW YORK (AP) — Former NBA player and assistant coachDamon Jonesis expected to become the first person to plead guilty in a gambling sweep that led to the arrests of more than 30 people, including reputed mobsters and other basketball figures.

A change-of-plea hearing for Jones is scheduled for April 28 in Brooklyn federal court, according to a court filing Thursday. It was originally set for May 6, but was moved at the request of the parties.

Jones, 49, had previously pleaded not guilty to separate indictments charging him with profiting fromrigged poker gamesand providing sports bettors with non-public information about injuries to starsLeBron JamesandAnthony Davis.

Jones is charged in both cases with wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy.

A message seeking comment was left for his lawyer, Kenneth Montgomery. He told a judge at Jones’ arraignments in November that they “may be engaging in plea negotiations.”

Jones, a onetime teammate of James, was arrested last October along with Portland Trail Blazers head coach and Basketball Hall of FamerChauncey Billupsand Miami Heat guardTerry Rozier, and others, including a sports bettor accused of cashing in on injury information.

Jones was one of three people charged in both the poker and sports betting schemes. He remains free on bail.

A native of Galveston, Texas, Jones earned more than $20 million playing for 10 teams in 11 seasons from 1999 to 2009. He and James played together in Cleveland from 2005 to 2008 and Jones served as an unofficial assistant coach for James’ Los Angeles Lakers during the 2022-2023 season.

According to prosecutors, Jones sold or attempted to sell non-public information to bettors that James was injured and wouldn’t be playing in a Feb. 9, 2023, game against the Milwaukee Bucks, texting an unnamed co-conspirator: “Get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight before the information is out.”

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James wasn’t listed on the Lakers’ injury report at the time of the text message, but the NBA’s all-time scoring leader was later ruled out of the game because of a lower body injury, according to prosecutors, and the Lakers lost the game 115-106.

On Jan. 15, 2024, prosecutors said, sports bettor Marves Fairley paid Jones approximately $2,500 for a tip that Davis, the Lakers’ forward and center at the time, would see limited playing time against the Oklahoma City Thunder because of an injury.

Fairley then placed a $100,000 bet on the Thunder to win, prosecutors said, but the tip was wrong. Davis played his usual minutes, scored 27 points and collected 15 rebounds in a 112-105 Lakers win, prompting Fairley to demand a refund of his $2,500 fee, prosecutors said.

In the poker scheme, according to prosecutors, Jones was among former NBA players used to lure unwitting players into poker games that were rigged using altered shuffling machines, hidden cameras, special sunglasses and even X-ray equipment built into the table.

According to the indictment, Jones was paid $2,500 for a game in the Hamptons where he was instructed to cheat by paying close attention to others involved in the scheme. His instructor likened those people to James and NBA All-Star Steph Curry, prosecutors said. When in doubt, Jones was told to fold his hand, prosecutors said.

In response, according to prosecutors, Jones texted: “y’all know I know what I’m doing!!”

The poker scheme often made use of illegal poker games run by New York crime families that required them to share a portion of their proceeds with the Gambino, Genovese and Bonnano crime families, according to prosecutors.

Members of those families, in turn, also helped commit violent acts, including assault, extortion and robbery, to ensure repayment of debts and the continued success of the operation, officials said in court documents.

A hot hand from outside the three-point arc, Jones once proclaimed himself in an interview with insidehoops.com as “the best shooter in the world.” He played in every regular season game for three consecutive seasons from 2003 to 2006.

After his playing days, he worked as a “shooting consultant” for the Cavaliers and was an assistant coach when the team, led by James, won the NBA championship in 2016.

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

April 17, 2026

Ex-NBA player Damon Jones is expected to become first person to plead guilty in gambling sweep

NEW YORK (AP) — Former NBA player and assistant coachDamon Jonesis expected to become the first person to plead guilty in a gambling sw...

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