National Sports

PHOENIX (AP) — The Phoenix Suns have never been closer to an NBA title. Devin Booker scored 31 points, Chris Paul had 23 and the Suns beat the Milwaukee Bucks 118-108 on Thursday night to take a 2-0 series lead.

WINNIPEG — Kyle Edward Bekker scored twice on Thursday to lead Forge FC over Cavalry FC 2-0 in Canadian Premier League play. Bekker opened the scoring in the 13th minute and then added an insurance goal in the 35th for Forge (2-2-0).

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Whether dribbling a basketball or identifying obscure Latin or Greek roots, Zaila Avant-garde doesn't show much stress.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Canada's Stephen Ames and Billy Andrade shot 5-under 65s on Thursday to share the first-round lead in the U.S. Senior Open. Ames, from Calgary, had seven birdies and two bogeys in the morning session.

MONTREAL — CF Montreal has traded Erik Hurtado to Columbus for US$200,000 in general allocation money, saying the fact the veteran American forward was not vaccinated played into the deal.

NEW YORK (AP) — A tearful, repentant Michael Avenatti, the brash lawyer who once represented Stormy Daniels in lawsuits against President Donald Trump, was sentenced Thursday to 2 1/2 years in prison for trying to extort up to $25 million from Nike b

TORONTO — Javier Perez is going to get more time to revive Toronto FC in his role as interim coach.

Canadian fullback Michael Soles, who won Vanier Cup and Grey Cup titles during his football career, has died. He was 54. Soles, a native of Pointe-Claire, Que., died Wednesday, the Montreal Alouettes confirmed in a statement Thursday.

With partnership talks having ceased with the XFL, the CFL has set its sights firmly on a return to play. Training camps are set to open Friday with a 14-game season slated to start Aug. 5.

Annalise Mathers doesn't remember the fall that caused her concussion on a ski mountain four months ago, but she can recall the disorienting feelings that followed.