National Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — With one championship ring and a tenacious veteran core, the Denver Nuggets are a daunting matchup for any opponent in the NBA.

Thursday's Scoreboard NHL Playoffs First Round Florida 5 Tampa Bay 3 (Florida leads best-of-seven series 3-0) Carolina 3 N.Y.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid is suffering from Bell's palsy and played Game 3 with a bulky knee brace to sturdy the 7-footer after dealing with injuries all season.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia 76ers All-Star center Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.

NEW YORK (AP) — The Carolina Hurricanes didn't think they played their best in Game 3 against the New York Islanders. They did enough to move a win away from advancing to the second round.

Members of the NHL community and beyond paid tribute Bob Cole on Thursday after the legendary broadcaster died at age 90. He died Wednesday night in St. John's, N.L., surrounded by his family, his daughter, Megan Cole, told the CBC.

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — After never even having a lead in Cleveland, the Orlando Magic came back with the biggest postseason victory ever over the Cavaliers.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Sergei Bobrovsky made 26 saves, Matthew Tkachuk scored twice and the Florida Panthers beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-3 on Thursday night to take a 3-0 lead in the first-round playoff series.

BAIE-COMEAU, Que. — Charles-Édward Gravel earned a 26-save shutout as the Baie-Comeau Drakkar cruised to a 4-0 win over the Cape Breton Eagles in Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League playoff action on Thursday.

LOS ANGLES (AP) — Grace Kim shot a 7-under 64 at Wilshire Country Club to take the first-round lead Thursday in the LPGA Tour's JM Eagle LA Championship.