Luka Doncic says Kyrie Irving was "born for the clutch situations" as the Dallas Mavericks produced another late show to deny the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Mavs, who overcame a late two-point deficit, prevailed 116-107 in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals series, becoming the first NBA side in history to take a 3-0 series lead despite trailing in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter in each game.

Dallas had the second-best clutch record (23-9) and best clutch offence (127.1 points per 100 possessions) during the regular season, and have continued that momentum into the playoffs.

Indeed, they also came from behind late on in Game 6 of their conference semi-final series victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Irving scored 14 points in the fourth quarter in Game 3, and now has 31 such points this series; the most by any player in this year's conference finals.

"Unbelievable. That's why some people call him Mr Fourth Quarter, right?" Doncic said of his team-mate. "Just amazing. He's born for these situations. He's born for the clutch situations, so we just get the ball to him."

"Down the stretch, that's where we make our money," Irving added. "I think we have that poise now, and we're just showcasing our skill sets out there that a lot of teams have to guard, the depth that we have. A lot of teams have to guard each one of us, and you got to pick your poison."

Irving and Doncic scored 33 points apiece to become the first starting backcourt to each register at least 30 points in three playoff games over the past 50 seasons.

"I feel like we're both born for this if you ask me, but it's just basketball. You've got to give the game what it needs at times," said Irving, who called for focus in his franchise's quest for a second NBA title.

"It doesn't mean anything if we don't win a ring together. Right now, I want to show a lot of respect to the guys that have come before us and have actually done it. And our time will come."

Andy Murray admits he has "great memories" of the French Open, after what was likely to be his final appearance in the men's singles at Roland Garros.

The three-time grand slam winner, back at the season's second major for the first time since 2020, was comfortably beaten in straight sets by 2015 champion Stan Wawrinka, who ran out a commanding 6-4 6-4 6-2 victor.

Murray, who gave an extended wave to the crowd as he exited Court Philippe-Chatrier, has repeatedly said he is approaching the end of his career, revealing in February that he does not "plan on playing much past this summer".

And the 2016 runner-up was in a reflective mood after the conclusion of his 12th singles campaign at the French Open, where he also reached four semi-finals and a further two quarter-finals.

"I did really well here over the years," he said. "I think the issue for me is that when you compare it to what Rafa [Nadal] or Novak [Djokovic] achieved in the same time, it obviously is minuscule," Murray said.

"But most players would sign up for the results I've had here. I lost to Novak in five [sets], Stan in five [sets], and twice to Rafa. Obviously, no shame in that.

"In a different time, maybe the results would have been a bit different. But I'm proud of the results that I had here, and I have great memories."

Murray's French Open is not yet over, as he will partner compatriot Dan Evans in the men's doubles event later this week.

Amid the constant question mark hanging over his future in tennis, the 37-year-old admits he still enjoys competing, despite his reduced fitness levels in recent years.

"My body isn't what it was 10 years ago. I'm fully aware of that," he added. "It takes a lot of time and effort to get it in a position to go out there and compete. It's not always perfect.

"But I still enjoy giving [it] a go and trying to get myself out there and be as competitive as possible.

"There has been a lot of talk about the right, or best, ways to go out from playing tennis. There is no perfect ending in most scenarios.

"I'd like to go out winning a match or winning a tournament, but it doesn't really happen that way for most players."

Kyle Bradish struck out 11 over seven no-hit innings in a dominant start that propelled the Baltimore Orioles to a 4-1 win over the Chicago White Sox on Sunday and a sweep of the four-game series.

Bradish walked four before being removed to start the bottom of the eighth inning after having thrown 103 pitches. The right-hander was making his fifth start since returning from an elbow injury that sidelined him for just over a month to begin the season.

Danny Coloumbe relieved Bradish and surrendered a lead-off homer to Danny Mendick, Chicago's only hit of the game.

Adley Rutschman went 2 for 4 for Baltimore and snapped a scoreless tie with a two-run homer off Chicago starter Garrett Crochet in the sixth inning.

Crochet also recorded 11 strikeouts and had only yielded one hit before Jordan Westburg singled in front of Rutschman's sixth homer of the season.

Colton Cowser extended the lead to 3-0 with a solo homer in the top of the eighth inning, and the Orioles tacked on another run in the ninth. Anthony Santander drew a walk before being removed for pinch-runner Cedric Mullins, who stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error before crossing the plate on James McCann's sacrifice fly.

Craig Kimbrel retired the side in order in the bottom of the ninth to earn his 12th save and close out the White Sox's fifth straight loss and ninth in 10 games.

Guardians finish sweep of Angels, run winning streak to nine 

Ben Lively threw seven solid innings and the Cleveland Guardians held off a late comeback attempt from the Los Angeles Angels to earn a 5-4 victory and extend their winning streak to nine games.

Johnathan Rodriguez went 2 for 4 with a two-run double to help Cleveland to its longest winning streak since an American League-record 22-game run in 2017. The AL Central-leading Guardians also matched the best 53-game start in franchise history at 36-17, a feat they last accomplished during their last World Series appearance in 1995.

Lively (4-2) held the Angels to two runs on four hits while striking out five to win his third consecutive start. Emmanuel Clase worked a scoreless ninth to record his 17th save, the most in the majors this season.

Rodriguez also started a three-run sixth inning with a lead-off single that chased Los Angeles starter Reid Detmers with the game tied at 2-2. Adam Cimber replaced Detmers and issued a pair of walks to load the bases before hitting Tyler Freeman with a pitch to force in the go-ahead run.

Andres Gimenez followed with a run-scoring single before Jose Ramirez drew a bases-loaded walk against Matt Moore to extend the lead to 5-2.

The Angels put forth a two-out rally with Lively out of the game in the eighth, however. Nolan Schanuel began the comeback try with a double off Sam Hentges and scored on Luis Rengifo's single to cut the lead to 5-3. Taylor Ward then greeted reliever Scott Barlow with a single that brought in Rengifo and trimmed the margin to a run.

Barlow prevented further damage, though, before Clase protected the lead in the ninth to finish off the Guardians' sweep of the three-game series.

Rodriguez gave Cleveland a 2-0 edge with a two-out double off Detmers in the third inning. The Guardians had put two runners on when Detmers hit Gimenez with a pitch and walked Ramirez.

Detmers (3-5) was charged with three runs in five-plus innings and finished with eight strikeouts.

Rays rally to halt Royals' eight-game winning streak

Pinch-hitter Brandon Lowe came through with a go-ahead three-run triple in the seventh inning as the Tampa Bay Rays rallied for a 4-1 victory over Kansas City that stopped the Royals' eight-game winning streak.

The Rays trailed 1-0 before scoring four times in the seventh to end a six-game skid and prevent the up-and-coming Royals from sweeping the three-game series.

Tampa Bay appeared on its way to another defeat when former Ray Michael Wacha retired the game's first 15 hitters before having his perfect-game bid broken up in the sixth.

Wacha (4-5) ran into trouble in the seventh, though, as Harold Ramirez opened the Rays' half of the inning with a single and Isaac Paredes followed with a double to chase the Kansas City starter.

John Schreiber relieved Wacha and hit Randy Arozarena with a pitch to load the bases. Two batters later, Lowe drove a pitch into the right field corner to drive in all three runners and put the Rays ahead.

Lowe later scored Tampa Bay's final run on a Jose Siri single. 

Bobby Witt went 2 for 5 and accounted for the Royals' lone run with a solo homer in the sixth inning. The star shortstop was thrown out at the plate by Arozarena when trying to score on a Salvador Perez single, however, to help halt a Kansas City rally attempt in the eighth.

The Royals also threatened in the ninth by loading the bases with two out, but Pete Fairbanks retired Witt on a groundout to end the game and pick up his fifth save.

Wacha was charged with two runs on three hits over six-plus innings. Rays starter Taj Bradley allowed just one hit and struck out six over five scoreless innings.

The Atlanta Braves announced that star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. will miss the remainder of the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in Sunday's win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Acuna, the 2023 National League MVP, was injured attempting to steal third base in the first inning of Atlanta's 8-1 victory. Though he was able to walk off the field under his own power and the Braves initially termed the injury as left knee soreness, subsequent tests revealed a complete tear of the ACL that will require surgery at a yet-to-determined date.

The four-time All-Star previously tore the ACL in his right knee on July 20, 2021 and missed the remainder of that season, as well as the Braves' first 19 games of the 2022 season.

“I saw the catcher throwing the ball back to the pitcher very slow,” Acuña told reporters afterward. “I was timing that so I could steal third. But in that moment, he threw it hard. So I had to come back, and that’s when I felt (his knee buckle).

Acuna unanimously won the NL's MVP award with a monster 2023 campaign in which he became the first player in Major League Baseball history to record 40 home runs and 60 stolen bases in a season. The 26-year-old led the majors in stolen bases (73) and runs scored (149), ranked second with a .337 batting average, and produced 41 homers and 106 RBIs in 159 games.

Though Acuna's numbers were down so far in 2024, he still entered Sunday's game tied for fourth in the majors with 16 stolen bases. The 2018 NL Rookie of the Year was hitting .250 with four homers and 15 RBIs in 49 games at the time of the injury.

Atlanta, which has won the last six NL East titles, is already dealing with another season-ending injury to a top player with ace pitcher Spencer Strider undergoing surgery in April to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. 

The Braves are currently six games behind the first-place Philadelphia Phillies in the division standings.

Alex Wennberg scored 5:35 into overtime to give the New York Rangers a 2-1 series lead on the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final with a thrilling 5-4 win on Sunday.

Wennberg deflected a shot from teammate Ryan Lindgren past Florida netminder Sergei Bobrovsky to move the President's Trophy-winning Rangers within two victories of the Stanley Cup Final, despite the Panthers recording a 37-23 shot advantage for the game.

New York was able to get another standout performance from Igor Shesterskin, however, as well as two goals each from Alexis Lafreniere and Game 2 hero Barclay Goodrow. Shesterskin made 33 saves to outplay Russian counterpart Bobrovsky, who stopped just 18 of 23 shots. 

Sam Reinhart had a pair of power-play goals for the Atlantic Division-champion Panthers, who trailed 4-2 after two periods before forcing overtime on goals by Aleksander Barkov and Gustav Forsling in the third.

Florida will attempt to even the series when it hosts Game 4 on Tuesday.

The Rangers registered the two lone goals of the second period - a highlight-reel score from Lafreniere and a short-handed tally by Goodrow - to snap a 2-2 tie, but the Panthers roared back with a dominant third period in which they outshot New York by a 13-4 margin.

Barkov tipped in a shot from Carter Verhaeghe 5:04 into the period to get Florida within 4-3. Less than two minutes later, Forsling skated in untouched before ripping a shot by Shesterskin to tie the contest. 

After the series opened with a pair of low-scoring games, each team scored twice during the first period Reinhart began by depositing a backhand into the Rangers' net with Florida on a power play 2:50 in.

Lafreniere and Goodrow scored 25 seconds apart to send the Rangers ahead with under eight minutes elapsed, but Reinhart knocked in another backhander with the Panthers on the power play to forge a 2-2 tie with 5:14 left in the period.

New York regained the lead when Lafreniere split two Florida defenders before slipping a shot under Bobrovsky's pad with 4:37 left in the second. The Panthers had a golden chance to pull even soon afterward, though, when Rangers' defenseman Jacob Trouba was called for a double-minor penalty 2:25 before the second intermission.

Florida failed to control the puck on the ensuing power play, however, and Vincent Trocheck fed Goodrow - who scored the game-winner in New York's 2-1 overtime victory in Game 2 - for a one-timer that extended the lead to 4-2.

Max Verstappen reflected on a "really boring" Monaco Grand Prix during a "weekend to forget" for Red Bull.

The world number one failed to improve on his sixth-place start, after struggling to catch George Russell as he failed to finish on the podium for just the second time this season.

Verstappen fared better than team-mate Sergio Perez though, as the Mexican was involved in a huge crash just seconds into the race, forcing him out of it after an already poor qualifying.

Despite being underwhelmed by their performance in Monaco, Verstappen said there were still positives to take from it.

After the race, he said: "This has been a really tricky challenging weekend with a lot of damage [to Perez's car]. Probably a weekend to forget, but also one to learn a lot from.

"The only positive to come out of this weekend is that we understand what our big weakness is and that's what we really have to work on. I think if we can solve that and make it decent, we can gain a lot of lap time and we need to do that.

"We finished where we started. The strategy got ruined with the red flag, so we had to back it up on the medium [tyre]. From lap one on the restart, it was driving four seconds off the pace. Just really, really boring.

"Naturally we will [see more excitement in Canada]. It still won't be the easiest weekend because of the curbing - our cars aren't very good at that. They've resurfaced the track though, so that might bring something unexpected.

Andy Murray bowed out in the opening round of what is likely to be his final French Open appearance, following a straight-sets defeat by Stan Wawrinka.

The Swiss ran out a commanding 6-4 6-4 6-2 victor in two hours and 19 minutes on Court Philippe-Chatrier, and could play Murray's compatriot Cameron Norrie in round two.

Murray was facing Wawrinka for a third successive match at Roland Garros, having lost out to the latter in the 2020 first round and 2017 semi-finals.

The 2015 champion stole an early advantage this time around, too, breaking in the opening game and subsequently holding to win the first set.

A single break was also enough in the second set as Wawrinka doubled his lead.

Murray has repeatedly said he is approaching the end of his career, revealing in February that he does not "plan on playing much past this summer".

However, the 2016 runner-up's chances of extending what is potentially his French Open swansong were all but ended as Wawrinka broke twice in the third set for a 4-0 lead, before the 39-year-old rounded off a dominant win.

Data Debrief

Wawrinka (39) and Murray (37) locked horns in the second-oldest match-up at Roland Garros this century, behind the 2019 first-round showdown between Ivo Karlovic (40) and Feliciano Lopez (37).

And the Swiss was not to be denied, as he became the oldest man to win a match at the French Open since compatriot Roger Federer three years ago.

Naomi Osaka admits it would be "a very big honour" to play Iga Swiatek at the French Open, ahead of a potential second-round showdown at Roland Garros.

After a 15-month maternity break, the four-time major winner marked her return to the French capital with a hard-earned three-set victory over Lucia Bronzetti in the opening round.

That potentially sets up a meeting with Swiatek in round two, should the reigning champion overcome Leolia Jeanjean on Monday.

And Osaka is thrilled by the prospect of facing the world number one, who has lifted Coupe Suzanne Lenglen three times in the past four years. 

"I'm really excited," she told reporters during her post-match press conference. 

"I watched her a lot when I was pregnant. I think it's an honour to play her in the French Open, because she's won more than once here. It's a very big honour and challenge for me."

After beating Bronzetti 6-1 4-6 7-5, Osaka (75.3 per cent, 58-19) now only trails Swiatek (81.4 per cent, 70-16) among active players, for the highest winning percentage in women’s singles matches at major events.

The Japanese was made to work hard for her victory. After a dominant opening set, Osaka was taken to a decider, in which she was pegged back from 4-0 up, but eventually got over the line.

"The match really was like a rollercoaster," she added. "I felt like I was extremely focused in the first set, and maybe I let it go a bit.

"I came back in the third, but then I let it go a bit, and I just got really tight from there. I'm really glad I was able to regroup and win."

Charles Leclerc says he has fulfilled his dreams after winning the Monaco Grand Prix for the first time.

After claiming pole for the third time on home soil, Leclerc was able to hold onto first and finish on the Monaco podium for the first time.

Despite an early red flag forcing a restart, the Monegasque was in control throughout, finishing seven seconds ahead of second-place Oscar Piastri.

It is Leclerc's first win of 2024, and Ferrari's second of the season after Carlos Sainz’s victory at the Australian Grand Prix in March.

Speaking after Sunday's victory, he said: "No words can explain that. It's such a difficult race. I think the fact twice I've been starting on pole position, and we couldn't quite make it makes it even better in a way.

"It means a lot, obviously. It's the race which made me dream of becoming a Formula 1 driver one day.

"Fifteen laps to the end you're hoping nothing happens, and the emotions are coming.

"My dad has given everything for me to be here, and it was a dream of ours for me to race here and win here, so it's unbelievable.

"A huge thank you, the parade laps were special and seeing so many of my friends and people I know in the balcony, it was just very special. This one means a lot."

Piastri put in an assured drive to finish second, holding off Sainz to prevent a Ferrari one-two and was pleased with the way the race turned out.

"Thanks to the team. It's been a great weekend all-round. Nice to put a result on the board. I've been strong the last few weekends but didn't have the result to show for it. Nice to have a podium," he said.

"Charles has been mega all weekend. They have been quick from the very first lap.

"I'm happy with P2. A good result for the team. Very, very happy."

Novak Djokovic admits he needs to "lower the expectations" as he prepares to defend his French Open title.

The Serbian has failed to reach a final so far in 2024, having fallen at the semi-final hurdle in Australia, Monte-Carlo, and most recently Geneva with a defeat to Tomas Machac.

Djokovic also suffered shock defeats to Alejandro Tabilo in Rome and world number 123 Luca Nardi at Indian Wells in the round of 32.

Despite questions surrounding his recent form, the 24-time Grand Slam winner is looking to draw on his vast experience to end his trophy drought this season.

"I would say that I know what I'm capable of, and particularly in the Grand Slams I normally play the best tennis, at least I aim always to play the best tennis, and I was most of my career able to do that, so that's the goal," said Djokovic on his arrival in France.

"I have been saying, you know, for quite a while that in terms of clay, I want to peak here in Paris, in Roland Garros. Last year I had an amazing year, and particularly here in Roland Garros, and hopefully, I can have a great tournament.

"My hopes and goals are always the same, but I have to lower the expectations. When I say that I mean, you know, maybe not thinking too much ahead in advance in terms of the tournament and who I might face in the later rounds, but really taking it day by day, step by step, and really building my game.

"Because that's what I have really been struggling with, not really playing in a consistently good level."

Djokovic will play French wildcard Pierre-Hugues Herbert in the first round on Tuesday. 

Charles Leclerc secured his first win at the Monaco Grand Prix, cruising to victory on home soil despite a first-lap red flag.

A huge crash between Kevin Magnussen and Sergio Perez seconds into the race saw the early red flag come out after the Dane tried to squeeze through a narrow gap but flipped the Red Bull instead. Both drivers were unharmed but unable to continue.

Having claimed his third pole in Monaco on Saturday, Leclerc followed that up with his first podium finish here, crossing the line seven seconds ahead of McLaren's Oscar Piastri.

Leclerc's Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz held off a charging Lando Norris to claim third, even after a tangle with Piastri during the initial start, though it did not affect his restart position.

George Russell rounded out the top five, holding off Max Verstappen – who was not able to improve on his sixth-place start – capping a disappointing weekend for Red Bull. 

Data Debrief: Curse-breaker

Leclerc is the 35th driver to win at his home Grand Prix. He has claimed pole three times in Monaco (2021, 2022, 2024), and has finished on the podium for the first time in his sixth Formula 1 race there. 

The Monegasque had already created history in qualifying, earning Ferrari's 250th pole in Formula 1 history, while claiming his 24th for the Italian team in the process.

Carlos Alcaraz put any concerns over an arm injury to one side after easing into the French Open second round on Sunday.

The world number three cruised to a straight-sets victory over J.J. Wolf on Court Philippe-Chatrier, dropping just four games en route to a convincing triumph.

Spain's Alcaraz had worries over featuring at Roland-Garros, where he was defeated in the semi-final last year, due to a troublesome arm injury.

The 21-year-old played through his first-round victory with a supportive sleeve on his right arm, though that issue did not cause Alcaraz any problems on his emphatic return.

"I would have loved to have played more matches," Alcaraz said after his dominant performance in Paris. 

"I don't need too many matches to get to 100 per cent. I think I prepared well these past two weeks before coming to Paris.

"I felt well moving. My forearm is getting better and better. That is something good for me.

"I think I don't need too many matches to play my best."

Alcaraz claimed a 12th win from his opening 15 matches at Roland-Garros. Since 2000, only two players have claimed more from that opening span of matches – Rafael Nadal (15) and Juan Carlos Ferrero (13).

The powerful Alcaraz also boasts a record of 21-1 against players ranked outside the top 50 at major events, with his only such defeat inflicted by Mikael Ymer at the 2021 Australian Open.

"I am really happy to be back here and back here in Paris," Alcaraz added. "To compete again has been a difficult month for me. I love competing and playing tennis. To stay away from that was hurting for me.

"I tried everything I could do to be here at 100 per cent. I think I showed my best tennis today. I'm really, really happy to show my best tennis again.

"I love playing here in Paris. The energy from the crowd here is something special. Seeing the full stadium in the first round is amazing. It's great for tennis to have a lot of people come into the tournament. I'm trying to make the people enjoy as well."