Draft’s QB

board is light

(AP) — The NFL draft might see only one quarterback picked in the first round this year, unlike the quarterback-heavy drafts of 2021 and 2024. Fernando Mendoza is expected to be the No. 1 pick by the Las Vegas Raiders. Ty Simpson is the next quarterback on the list, but he might not be picked until later in the round.

Only two drafts in the last 24 years have had just one first-round quarterback. It happened in 2022 with Kenny Pickett and 2013 with EJ Manuel.

Road teams

pushing back

(AP) — The first six games in this season’s NBA playoffs all had something in common. The home teams all prevailed, winning by an average of 18.5 points per game. And since then, chaos.

Road teams figured out how to avoid being pushovers. Of the six first-round series that have completed two games, only two higher-seeded teams — Cleveland and the Los Angeles Lakers — have managed to hold serve at home and take 2-0 series leads.

Oklahoma City could join the Cavaliers and Lakers in that club if it beats Phoenix in Game 2 of that series on Wednesday.

No new deal

for Pickens

FRISCO, Texas (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys say they are planning for George Pickens to play on the franchise tag this year and won’t negotiate with the star receiver or his agent on a long-term contract. Executive vice president of personnel Stephen Jones says communication with Pickens has been good.

Pickens hasn’t signed the one-year deal with $27.3 million. That means he can’t be fined for not attending mandatory offseason workouts.

Pickens was acquired last offseason in a trade with Pittsburgh. He had career highs in catches, yards receiving and touchdowns.

LPGA sees

first major

HOUSTON (AP) — The LPGA is trying to stick with tradition at the first major of the year. The Chevron Championship starts today at Memorial Park in Houston. It doesn’t have water on the 18th hole. That’s important because this major is famous for the winner taking a plunge.

That’s how it was in the California desert before moving to Houston a few years ago. Officials have built a small pool by the 18th green.

Nelly Korda is among the favorites. She’s played in the final group in all four of her tournaments this year. Jeeno Thitikul is aiming for her first major.

Edgecombe

finds footing

BOSTON (AP) — 76ers rookie V.J. Edgecombe marked his arrival in the NBA by scoring the third-most points for an NBA player in his first game. He capped his second career playoff game by becoming the first rookie to record at least 30 points and 10 rebounds in a playoff game since Tim Duncan did it nearly 30 years ago.

For Edgecombe it is the culmination of a season in which he says he’s learned not to overthink things or put extra pressure on himself. His efforts helped Philadelphia beat the Celtics in Game 2 of their opening-round playoff series to tie it at a game apiece.

Jersey helps

save a run

SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle Mariners starter Logan Gilbert can thank his jersey for stopping at least one earned run Wednesday. With a runner on third in the first inning of the Mariners’ 5-4 victory over the Athletics, Carlos Cortes belted a line drive at the Seattle right-hander and the ball somehow lodged in Gilbert’s jersey.

Gilbert grabbed at his stomach and turned to locate the ball as Cortes made his way down the first-base line, only to find he in fact caught it in his shirt.

Cortes was credited with a single as the play was considered dead, but Nick Kurtz remained at third base. Shea Langeliers advanced to second base.