Summarize and humanize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs in English Howdy, I’m your host, Houston Mitchell. Let’s get right to the news.From Ben Bolch: Nearly every time Aday Mara touched the ball over the season’s final months, a murmur of anticipation filled Pauley Pavilion.Would the 7-foot-3 center show off his extraordinary passing skills, flinging the ball to a teammate for a backdoor layup? Would he pivot around his defender for a dunk? Would he use his mythical size to get off an unblockable sky hook?Almost everything the UCLA sophomore did after becoming a regular part of the rotation in late January wowed fans who equally delighted him with their deafening cheers.That support was among the reasons why Mara did not want to go quietly on his way to Michigan. For one of his final acts before leaving campus, Mara reached out to The Times to discuss the rationale behind his transfer and set the record straight about a report stating that he had made outrageous demands as a requirement for him to remain a Bruin.The smile that never seems to leave Mara’s face vanished when it came to his departure from a place that he loved.“It was a hard decision to leave UCLA,” Mara said Friday night via FaceTime, “because you saw every game — I was enjoying it, I was super happy because I saw all the crowd cheering for me, helping me a lot. Los Angeles is like a really, really good place, Westwood, so I’m going to miss that and I wanted to say that because it was a hard decision because it’s just after two years it feels like I spent a lot more time than two years, you know?”Continue reading here Enjoying this newsletter? Consider subscribing to the Los Angeles Times Your support helps us deliver the news that matters most. Become a subscriber. From Ben Bolch: College football’s highest-profile transfer is coming home.After a falling out with Tennessee, Nico Iamaleava has agreed to play for UCLA next season in a move that will generate significant buzz for the Bruins after they added a quarterback who took his previous team to the College Football Playoff.But the nature of Iamaleava’s departure, which reportedly involved a desire for more name, image and likeness money from the Volunteers at a time when most teams had lined up a starting quarterback for next season, could make Iamaleava a polarizing figure before he sets foot on his new campus.Iamaleava announced his commitment to the Bruins on his Instagram account Sunday, ending more than a week of speculation about his future.Continue reading here CLIPPERSFrom Broderick Turner: A day later, the Clippers didn’t hide from the primary cause of their demise in Game 1 of their Western Conference playoff series against the Denver Nuggets.Twenty turnovers doomed the Clippers and put them in a 0-1 hole in the best-of-seven series Saturday. Four turnovers in the extra five minutes during overtime left the Clippers proclaiming they must do a better job taking care of the basketball in Game 2 on Monday night at Ball Arena.“It’s a little frustrating, just because it’s self-inflicted and it’s that we have been really good at this the last few weeks,” Clippers guard James Harden said late Saturday night after Game 1. “But [we’re] even-keeled, you know what I mean? Come back in Game 2 ready to go even better.”Continue reading here NBA PLAYOFFS SCHEDULE, RESULTSAll Times PacificFirst roundWestern ConferenceNo. 3 Lakers vs. No. 6 MinnesotaDenver 117, at Lakers 95 (box score)Tuesday at Lakers, 7 p.m., TNTFriday at Minnesota, 6:30 p.m., ESPNSunday at Minnesota, 12:30 p.m., ABCWed., April 30 at Lakers, TBD*Friday, May 2 at Minnesota, TBD*Sunday, May 4 at Lakers, TBD*No. 4 Denver vs. No. 5 Clippersat Denver 112, Clippers 110 (OT) (box score)Monday at Denver, 7 p.m., TNTThursday at Clippers, 7 p.m., NBA TVSaturday at Clippers, 3 p.m., TNTTuesday, April 29 at Denver, TBD*Thursday, May 1 at Clippers, TBD*Saturday, May 3 at Denver, TBD*No. 1 Oklahoma City vs. No. 8 Memphisat Oklahoma City 131, Memphis 80 (box score)Tuesday at Oklahoma City, 4:30 p.m., TNTThursday at Memphis, 6:30 p.m., TNTSaturday at Memphis, 12:30 p.m., TNTMonday at Oklahoma City, TBD*Thursday, May 1 at Memphis, TBD*Saturday, May 3 at Oklahoma City, TBD*No. 2 Houston vs. No. 7 Golden StateGolden State 95, at Houston 85 (box score)Wednesday at Houston, 6:30 p.m., TNTSaturday at Golden State, 5:30 p.m., ABCMonday at Golden State, 7 p.m., TNTWednesday, April 30 at Houston, TBD*Friday, May 2 at Golden State, TBD*Sunday, May 4 at Houston, TBD*Eastern ConferenceNo. 1 Cleveland vs. No. 8 Miamiat Cleveland 121, Miami 100 (box score)Wednesday at Cleveland, 4:30 p.m., NBA TVSaturday at Miami, 10 a.m., TNTMonday at Miami, TBDWednesday, April 30 at Cleveland, TBD*Friday, May 2 at Miami, TBD*Sunday, May 4 at Cleveland, TBD*No. 2 Boston vs. No. 7 Orlandoat Boston 103, Orlando 86 (box score)Wednesday at Boston, 4 p.m., TNTFriday at Orlando, 4 p.m., ESPNSunday at Orlando, 4 p.m., TNTTuesday, April 29 at Boston, TBD*Thursday, May 1 at Orlando, TBD*Saturday, May 3 at Boston, TBD*No. 3 New York vs. No. 6 Detroitat New York 123, Detroit 112 (box score)Monday at New York, 4:30 p.m., TNTThursday at Detroit, 4 p.m., TNTSunday at Detroit, 10 a.m., ABCTuesday, April 29 at New York, TBD*Thursday, May 1 at Detroit, TBD*Saturday, May 3 at New York, TBD*No. 4 Indiana vs. No. 5 Milwaukeeat Indiana 117, Milwaukee 98 (box score)Tuesday at Indiana, 4 p.m., NBA TVFriday at Milwaukee, 5 p.m., ESPNU/NBA TVSunday at Milwaukee, 6:30 p.m., TNTTuesday, April 29 at Indiana, TBD*Friday, May 2 at Milwaukee, TBD*Sunday, May 4 at Indiana, TBD** if necessaryDODGERSFrom Jack Harris: Tyler Glasnow stood on the back of the mound, flexed his right leg to test how it felt, then threw his first pitch of the fifth inning on Sunday afternoon.In the Dodgers’ 1-0 win against the Texas Rangers, it proved to be the right-hander’s last one of the day.Though the Dodgers salvaged a series win at Globe Life Field, riding a stout bullpen and eighth-inning sacrifice fly from Freddie Freeman to victory in the series rubber match, they first had to overcome yet another injury concern from Glasnow, who left the game after just four innings with what he later said was cramping in both his legs.“Ankles, calves, feet. Both sides,” Glasnow said. “After a while, it just gets to the point where it’s fully locked up. I’m not sure why.”Continue reading here Dodgers box score MLB scores MLB standings ANGELSJo Adell had a bases-clearing double in a four-run ninth inning against San Francisco closer Ryan Walker and the Angels rallied to beat the Giants 5-4 on Sunday, spoiling the day for Justin Verlander in the rubber match of a three-game series.Verlander was in line for his first victory in his fifth start with the Giants leading 4-1. But Walker (0-1) walked Mike Trout leading off and Jorge Soler followed with a single. Logan O’Hoppe had a one-out hit to load the bases before Walker hit Zach Neto to force in a run. Adell hit a 1-2 pitch down the left-field line.Verlander gave up just two hits and a run in six innings with six strikeouts. He fanned Trout twice on 96- and 97-mph fastballs.Continue reading here Angels box score MLB scores MLB standings LPGAFrom Benjamin Royer: Ingrid Lindblad grew up figure skating. The dynamic sport of balance and precision tested her limits before she ultimately surrendered the ice for the green full-time.The individuality, besting yourself rather than an opponent to achieve your goals, drove the Swedish golfer as a young athlete — and to top amateur status at Louisiana State. As one of two LPGA rookies atop the JM Eagle LA Championship leaderboard Sunday afternoon, Lindblad needed to channel her success, which propelled her to becoming the 2024 Honda Award winner for golf, the same under-pressure skillset that helped her qualify for the LPGA tour in the first place.Lindblad, 25, converted six birdies Sunday, enough to weather the field and win the LA Championship at El Caballero Country Club in Tarzana — her first LPGA victory in her third career tour start. Lindblad, who missed out on the top 10 in her first two starts, charged into the conversation Friday with a career-low nine-under 63 to tie the tournament scoring record. She bookended the second round with four-under performances in the first and third rounds.Continue reading here NHL PLAYOFFS SCHEDULE, RESULTSAll times PacificFirst roundWestern ConferencePacific 3 Edmonton vs. Pacific 2 KingsMonday at Kings, 7 p.m., ESPN2Wednesday at Kings, 7 p.m., TBSFriday at Edmonton, 7 p.m., TNTSunday at Edmonton, 6:30 p.m., TBSTuesday, April 29 at Kings, TBD*Thursday, May 1 at Edmonton, TBD*Saturday, May 3 at Kings, TBD*Wild-card 2 St. Louis vs. Central 1 Winnipegat Winnipeg 5, St. Louis 3 (summary)Monday at Winnipeg, 4:30 p.m., ESPN2Thursday at St. Louis, 6:30 p.m., ESPN2Sunday at St. Louis, 10 a.m., TBSWed., April 30 at Winnipeg, TBD*Friday, May 2 at St. Louis, TBD*Sunday, May 4 at Winnipeg, TBD*Central 3 Colorado vs. Central 2 DallasColorado 5, at Dallas 1 (summary)Monday at Dallas, 6:30 p.m., ESPNWednesday at Colorado, 6:30 p.m., ESPNSaturday at Colorado, 6:30 p.m., TBSMonday at Dallas, TBD*Thursday, May 1 at Colorado, TBD*Saturday, May 3 at Dallas, TBD*Wild-card 1 Minnesota vs. Pacific 1 Vegasat Vegas 4, Minnesota 2 (summary)Tuesday at Vegas, 8 p.m., ESPNThursday at Minnesota, 6 p.m., TBSSaturday at Minnesota, 1 p.m., TBSTuesday, April 29 at Vegas, TBD*Thursday, May 1 at Minnesota, TBD*Saturday, May 3 at Vegas, TBD*Eastern ConferenceWild-card 2 Ottawa vs. Atlantic 1 Torontoat Toronto 6, Ottawa 2 (summary)Tuesday at Toronto, 4:30 p.m., ESPN2Thursday at Ottawa, 4 p.m., ESPN2Saturday at Ottawa, 4 p.m., TBSTuesday, April 29 at Toronto, TBD*Thursday, May 1 at Ottawa, TBD*Saturday, May 3 at Toronto, TBD*Atlantic 3 Florida vs. Atlantic 2 Tampa BayTuesday at Tampa Bay, 5:30 p.m., ESPNThursday at Tampa Bay, 3:30 p.m., TBSSaturday at Florida, 10 a.m., TBSMonday at Florida, TBDWed., April 30 at Tampa Bay, TBD*Friday, May 2 at Florida, TBD*Sunday, May 4 at Tampa Bay, TBD*Wild-card 2 Montreal vs. Metropolitan 1 WashingtonMonday at Washington, 4 p.m., ESPNWednesday at Washington, 4 p.m., ESPNFriday at Montreal, 4 p.m., TNTSunday at Montreal, 3:30 p.m., TBSWed., April 30 at Washington, TBD*Friday, May 2 at Montreal, TBD*Sunday, May 4 at Washington, TBD*Metropolitan 3 New Jersey vs. Metropolitan 2 Carolinaat Carolina 4, New Jersey 1 (summary)Tuesday at Carolina, p.m., ESPNFriday at New Jersey, 5 p.m., TBSSunday at New Jersey, 12:30 p.m., TBSTuesday, April 29 at Carolina, TBD*Friday, May 2 at New Jersey, TBD*Sunday, May 4 at Carolina, TBD** If necessaryTHIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY1904 — Ty Cobb makes his pro debut for Augusta (South Atlantic League)1948 — Basketball Association of America Finals: Baltimore Bullets beat Philadelphia Warriors, 88-73 to take series, 4 games to 2.1951 — Bob Davies’ two foul shots and Jack Coleman’s layup give the Rochester Royals a 79-75 triumph over the New York Knicks in the seventh game of the NBA championship series.1951 — The Toronto Maple Leafs win the Stanley Cup for the fourth time in five years as they beat the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 in the fifth game.1955 — Brooklyn Dodgers win a then record 10th straight game to begin a season.1980 — Bill Rodgers wins his third straight Boston Marathon. Rosie Ruiz is disqualified eight days later as women’s champion when it’s discovered she did not run the entire distance.1989 — George W. Bush and Edward W. Rose become joint CEOs of the Texas Rangers.1991 — NFL Draft: University of Miami defensive tackle Russell Maryland first pick by Dallas Cowboys.1991 — PGA Seniors’ Championship Men’s Golf, PGA National GC: Jack Nicklaus wins his 4th of 8 Champions Tour majors by 6 strokes.1995 — Defending champion Utah continues its domination of the NCAA women’s gymnastics championships, capturing its ninth national title since the event began in 1982 with a score of 196.650.1996 — The Chicago Bulls wrap up the most successful regular season in NBA history with their 72nd victory, getting 26 points from Michael Jordan in a 103-93 decision over Washington. Jordan sets an NBA record by winning his eighth NBA scoring title, breaking Wilt Chamberlain’s record of seven.1996 — PGA Seniors’ Championship Men’s Golf, PGA National GC: Hale Irwin beats Japan’s Isao Aoki by 2 strokes for his first of 4 Senior PGA Championships.2001 — Hasim Rahman flattens Lennox Lewis with a stunning right hand near the end of the fifth round to capture the WBC and IBF heavyweight titles in one of the biggest upsets in boxing history in Brakpan, South Africa.2001 — NFL Draft: Virginia Tech quarterback Michael Vick first pick by Atlanta Falcons.2012 — Phil Humber throws the first perfect game in the majors in almost two years, leading the Chicago White Sox to a 4-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners.2013 — Takuma Sato becomes the first Japanese driver to win an IndyCar race in the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.2013 — Rookie Marc Marquez wins his first MotoGP race, capturing the Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin, Texas. The 20-year-old Spaniard, last season’s Moto2 champion, becomes the youngest winner at motorcycle racing’s top level.2013 — Joe Scarborough, a 50-year-old self-employed electrical contractor, rolls the first 900 series in Professional Bowlers Association history — three straight perfect games. He opened the first round of qualifying in the PBA50 Sun Bowl with three games of 300, throwing 36 consecutive strikes.2014 — American Meb Keflezighi wins the Boston Marathon, a year after a bombing at the finish line left three dead and more than 260 people injured. No U.S. runner had won the race since Lisa Larsen-Weidenbach took the women’s title in 1985; the last American man to win was Greg Meyer in 1983. Rita Jeptoo of Kenya successfully defends the women’s title, becoming the seventh three-time champion.2018 — Oakland A’s left-hander Sean Manaea no-hits the Boston Red Sox.Compiled by the Associated Press Until next time… That concludes today’s newsletter. If you have any feedback, ideas for improvement or things you’d like to see, email me at houston.mitchell@latimes.com, and follow me on Twitter at @latimeshouston. To get this newsletter in your inbox, click here.
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