Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. is getting 24-hour security after receiving online death threats directed at his family.

McCullers, who returned to the mound at the beginning of May after missing nearly two years due to injury, told the Associated Press that his 5-year-old daughter overheard a conversation he was with having with his wife about the threats and asked him what was going on.

“She asked me when I came home: ‘Daddy like what is threats? Who wants to hurt us? Who wants to hurt me?’” McCullers said. “So, those conversations are tough to deal with.”

The Astros contacted MLB security and the Houston Police Department about the threats, and team owner Jim Crane hired 24-hour security for the family after McCullers asked what could be done to protect his family.

After McCullers’ start on May 10, giving up seven runs in the first inning while recording only one out, Astros manager Joe Espada told reporters about the online abuse that the 31-year-old starter had received that night.

‘There are people who are threatening his life and the life of his kids because of his performance tonight,’ Espada said. ‘It’s very unfortunate that we have to deal with this – after all he’s done for this city, for this team. … I’ve got kids, too. And it really drives me nuts that we have to deal with this.’

McCullers helped the Astros win World Series titles in 2017 and 2022, posting a 3.47 ERA in 72⅔ career postseason innings.

“I understand people are very passionate and people love the Astros and love sports, but threatening to find my kids and murder them is a little bit tough to deal with,” McCullers said on May 10.

“There have been many, many threats over the years aimed at me mostly … But I think bringing kids into the equation, threatening to find them or next time they see us in public they’re going to stab my kids to death … things like that are tough to hear as a dad.”

Threats and abuse directed at players and their families have received increased attention in recent years, with many of the incidents tied to angry sports gamblers.

‘It gets ugly really quickly. It’s scary, and it’s sad,’ relief pitcher Paul Sewald told USA TODAY Sports in 2024. ‘It used to be fans who were upset because you blew the game for the team, but now it’s gambling… They just care about their bets, and we’re talking about money they don’t have that they are losing. So, it’s a very scary spot.’

Earlier in May, Boston Red Sox reliever Liam Hendriks – a cancer survivor – spoke out about the comments he received after a rough outing.

‘Just as an FYI: Threats against my life and my wife’s life are horrible and cruel. You need help,’ Hendriks posted to his Instagram story. ‘Leaving comments to tell me to commit suicide and how you wish I died of cancer is disgusting and vile.’

A third person has been arrested in the death of a reporter from Kansas City who was in New Orleans to cover the Super Bowl, Louisiana authorities announced Friday.

The Kenner, Louisiana Police Department arrested 33-year-old Christian Anderson and said he played an active role with other individuals in coordinating attacks on victims, drugging them, and stealing personal property.

Anderson is charged with being a principal to simple robbery, purse snatching, access device fraud, illegal transmission of monetary funds, bank fraud, and computer fraud.

Danette Colbert and Rickey White have already been arrested and are awaiting charges of second-degree murder for their role in Adan Manzano’s death. All three suspects are in custody at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center.

Colbert was arrested after she was seen on video at the Kenner Comfort Suites hotel with Manzano at around 5 a.m. the day of his death on Feb. 5, and she was seen leaving the room alone later in the morning. Authorities charged her with second-degree murder in March.

Authorities said they gathered through search warrants, text message records, and digital communications that showed Anderson and Colbert communicated after Manzano’s death, including a car rented by Anderson on the day of Manzano’s death that was used by Colbert. Anderson also provided logistical support and attempted to gain money from Manzano’s stolen items.

Manzano died from the combined toxic effects of Xanax and alcohol intoxication, along with positional asphyxia, and the manner of death is still undetermined. He was found face down on a pillow, and his blood alcohol level was .232, almost three times the legal amount in the state of Louisiana.

A former Cougar has a bone to pick with a former Colts punter.

John Mellencamp was so bothered by what Pat McAfee did during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks that the Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter took to social media to voice his displeasure and apologize ‘on behalf of most Hoosiers.’

Mellencamp was at Gainbridge Fieldhouse when the Pacers took a 3-1 series lead on Tuesday, May 27, when the ESPN and WWE host riled up Pacers fans inside the arena during a timeout in the fourth quarter. McAfee used a few expletives while encouraging the crowd’s boos of Hollywood stars Timothee Chalamet, Ben Stiller and Spike Lee, all who were in attendance and rooting for the Knicks.

Mellencamp, 73, didn’t mention McAfee by name but chastised him for a lack of ‘Hoosier Hospitality.’

‘I was embarrassed when somebody, under whose direction I don’t know, called out some of the people who had made the trip from New York to support their team – and in turn, support our team,’ Mellencamp wrote. ‘The audience booed these people. I’d say that was not Hoosier Hospitality. One could only say it’s poor, poor sportsmanship. I was not proud to be a Hoosier, and I’ve lived here my entire life. On behalf of most Hoosiers, I would like to apologize for our poor behavior. I’m sure the Pacers had nothing to do with this smackdown.’

McAfee acknowledged Thursday he is the ‘somebody’ to whom Mellencamp is referring. The former Indianapolis Colts punter, who based his daily sports talk show in Indianapolis, did not attend Game 5 on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden despite a social media invitation from Stiller in the aftermath of his antics. The Knicks beat the Pacers, 111-94, with Chalamet and Kylie Jenner, Stiller, Lee, Tracy Morgan and Shaboozey among the celebrities in the New York crowd.

The Knicks and Pacers meet again for Game 6 back in Indianapolis on Saturday, May 31. Indiana leads the Eastern Conference finals, 3-2.

Chris Sale added another milestone to his Hall of Fame resume.

The reigning National League Cy Young winner became the fastest pitcher in major-league history to reach the 2,500-strikeout milestone, breaking the record previously held by Hall of Famer Randy Johnson.

On his final pitch Thursday night, Sale struck out Edmundo Sosa of the Philadelphia Phillies to end the sixth inning for his 2,500th victim. The Atlanta Braves left-hander reached the milestone in 2,026 innings, besting Johnson’s record of 2,107 ⅔ innings in 1999.

In doing so, Sale also became the 38th pitcher in modern history to reach the milestone.

‘I appreciate it for what it is, but I try not to get too caught up in stuff like that right now,’ Sale said after the Braves’ 9-3 win in Philadelphia. ‘I know what our job is here. And no matter whether you have a good one or a bad one, the next one is the most important one.’

Said Braves manager Brian Snitker: ‘He’s kind of doing Hall of Fame stuff. That guy is probably as big a baseball fan as anybody, just the history of the game and the competition. He’s a ballplayer, and it’s really cool to watch.’

Sale, who is one of the highest-paid starting pitchers this season, is 3-3 with a 3.06 ERA through 12 starts this year. Last season, he went 18-3 with a 2.38 ERA and led the NL with 225 strikeouts en route to his first Cy Young award. During the course of his 15-year major league career, he has struck out 200-plus batters eight times and is one of four active pitchers with 2,500-plus career strikeouts, trailing Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer and Clayton Kershaw.

After a full regular season by 32 NHL teams and three rounds of the playoffs, including a couple of scares, the 2025 Stanley Cup Final is the same as last year’s.

The Edmonton Oilers defeated the Dallas Stars 6-3 on Thursday to set up a rematch with the Florida Panthers, who clinched a third consecutive berth on Wednesday. The Panthers won in seven games last year.

The Oilers jumped to a quick 2-0 lead on goals by Corey Perry and Mattias Janmark, leading Stars coach Peter DeBoer to pull Jake Oettinger for backup goalie Casey DeSmith. Veteran Jeff Skinner, making his second playoff appearance, made it 3-0.

After that, the Stars settled down, with Jason Robertson scoring twice in the game. But Edmonton countered every time Dallas pulled close. Connor McDavid got a key breakaway goal in the second period after Roope Hintz cut the lead to 3-2.

‘That’s one of the nicest goals I’ve seen him score,’ teammate Leon Draisaitl said of McDavid. ‘That’s a big-time play. There’s only one person in the world that can do that in that moment, and we’re very fortunate to have him on our side.’

Evander Kane scored in the third period after Robertson pulled Dallas within one again.

The Oilers have reached the final after losing the first two games of the first round and trailing in the third period of Game 3. But they beat the Los Angeles Kings in six games, the Vegas Golden Knights in five games and the Stars in five.

Florida knocked off the Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes. They had fallen behind 2-0 to the Maple Leafs before winning in seven games.

Florida will try to become the first NHL team to win back-to-back championships since the 2020 and 2021 Lightning, while the Oilers will try to become the first Canadian team to win since the 1993 Montreal Canadiens.

USA TODAY provided live updates from Game 5 of the Western Conference finals. Scroll below for highlights and a full recap:

Oilers vs. Stars highlights

What’s next for the Edmonton Oilers?

The Oilers get another chance against the Panthers as they try to win their first title since 1990. They forced a Game 7 last season after losing the first three games before losing in the decisive game.

‘It was a great learning experience and it’s really driven us all year,’ McDavid said.

He said this year’s run has felt more normal.

‘It hasn’t been as emotional,’ he said. ‘We haven’t had the highs and we haven’t had the lows, just kind of been steady, and I think that has put us in a good position. … We have as good as chances are they do.’

What’s next for the Dallas Stars?

They rebounded from a season-ending seven-game losing streak to win two round before fall in the conference final for the third year in a row. They made their big move near the trade deadline by acquiring Mikko Rantanen and signing him for eight years. But their list of unrestricted free agents is huge, including captain Jamie Benn, Matt Duchene, Mikael Granlund, Colin Blackwell and Cody Ceci.

Why Peter DeBoer pulled Jake Oettinger

Stars goalie Jake Oettinger got a quick hook after Edmonton took a 2-0 lead. Coach Peter DeBoer said he didn’t blame Oettinger fully for the goals but explained his reasoning for putting in backup Casey DeSmith early in the first period.

‘The reality is if you go back to last year’s playoffs, he’s lost six of seven games to Edmonton and we gave up two goals on two shots in an elimination game,’ DeBoer said after the game. ‘It was partly to spark our team and wake them up and partly knowing that status quo had not been working. That’s a pretty big sample size.’

Did the Oilers touch the Clarence Campbell Bowl?

Yes, Oilers captain Connor McDavid and others touched the Western Conference championship trophy. Last year, the team didn’t touch it (it’s considered bad luck because the Stanley Cup is the true goal) and lost. Of course, the Panthers didn’t touch the Eastern Conference’s Prince of Wales Trophy last year and won. Florida didn’t touch it this year.

Game recap

Final score: Oilers 6, Stars 3

Edmonton is making its second consecutive trip to the Stanley Cup Final and will face the Panthers again. The Oilers have home-ice advantage this time.

Score update: Oilers 6, Stars 3

Kasperi Kapanen gets an empty-netter.

Stars pull goalie

Extra skater out there for Dallas.

Score update: Oilers 5, Stars 3

Edmonton strikes back quickly again. Evander Kane gets a bounce off Stars defenseman Esa Lindell.

Score update: Oilers 4, Stars 3

Jason Robertson scores his second goal of the game 38 seconds into the period to pull Dallas within one. Not a good allowed by Stuart Skinner and fans start chanting his name.

Third period underway

Oilers 20 minutes away from another trip to the Stanley Cup Final.

End second: Oilers 4, Stars 2

The Stars go nearly 10 minutes without a shot then get a Roope Hintz power-play goal. Oilers captain Connor McDavid does what he does best, showing off his tremendous speed to get a breakaway goal a little more than two minutes later and give Edmonton some breathing room.

Score update: Oilers 4, Stars 2

Connor McDavid restores Edmonton’s two-goal lead with a breakaway goal. Mattias Ekholm picks up the assist in his first game since April 11.

Score update: Oilers 3, Stars 2

The Stars move the puck around well on the power play and Roope Hintz scores for his first goal of the series. Another assist for Wyatt Johnston.

Stars power play

Mavrik Bourque, who has played well since his early high-sticking penalty, is hauled down by Mattias Ekholm.

Oilers defensive effort

Stars get first shot of the second period about 10 minutes in.

Stars power play

Brett Kulak, whose turnover led to Dallas’ goal, is called for hooking. Edmonton blocks several shots and kills it off.

Second period underway

3-1 Edmonton.

End first: Oilers 3, Stars 1

The Oilers take advantage of sloppy defensive play by the Stars and get two goals (Corey Perry, Mattias Janmark) on two shots. That leads coach Peter DeBoer to pull goalie Jake Oettinger. Backup Casey DeSmith gives up a quick goal to Jeff Skinner. But Dallas gets one back by Jason Robertson and will try to regroup after the intermission. The Stars will have to avoid the careless penalties. Shots are 9-7 Edmonton.

Oilers power play

Another high-sticking call. This time to Sam Steel. Dallas gets a needed kill. Stars have the best chance while short-handed but Stuart Skinner stops Thomas Harley.

Score update: Oilers 3, Stars 1

Jason Robertson scores after a turnover by Edmonton’s Brett Kulak. Wyatt Johnston gets the assist.

Score update: Oilers 3, Stars 0

Goalie change doesn’t work. Jeff Skinner scores at 8:07 in just his second game of the playoffs. Rout is on. Edmonton has three goals on six shots.

Stars goalie change

Casey DeSmith comes in for Jake Oettinger.

Score update: Oilers 2, Stars 0

Mattias Janmark scores at 7:09. Dallas calls a timeout.

Score update: Oilers 1, Stars 0

Connor McDavid feeds Corey Perry in front on the power play at 2:31. Bad start for the Stars. That’s 100 career playoff assists for McDavid.

Oilers power play

Mavrik Bourque called for high-sticking 1:47 in.

Game underway

Stars’ Colin Blackwell lines vs. Oilers’ Mattias Janmark line.

What time is Dallas Stars vs. Edmonton Oilers Game 5?

Game 5 of the Stars-Oilers series is Thursday, May 29 at 8 p.m. ET in Dallas.

How to watch Stars vs. Oilers NHL playoff game: TV, stream

Time: 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. local
Location: American Airlines Center (Dallas)
TV: ESPN
Stream: ESPN+, Fubo

Edmonton Oilers lines

Troy Stecher is sitting out with Mattias Ekholm returning. Connor Brown will miss a second consecutive game.

Dallas Stars lines

Mavrik Bourque making his first appearance since the first round.

Goaltending matchup

Stars’ Jake Oettinger (9-8, 2.72 goals-against average, .908 save percentage) vs. Oilers’ Stuart Skinner (5-4, 2.47, .910)

Oilers’ Jeff Skinner returning to lineup

Because of the injury to Zach Hyman, Oilers forward Jeff Skinner will make his first appearance since Game 1 of the first round.

‘The guys have been playing really well, battling really hard,’ he told reporters. ‘I’ll just try to come in and read off those guys and try to keep it simple and try to contribute.’

Zach Hyman out after surgery

This will be the Oilers’ first full game without forward Zach Hyman, who was injured in Game 4 on a Mason Marchment check. He had surgery and is expected to miss the rest of the playoffs.

Hyman scored 70 goals last season between the regular season and the playoffs. This season, he has 11 points in 15 playoff games and a league-leading 111 hits in the postseason, nearly 30 more than the next player.

‘He’s not going to be replaced but hopefully everyone can step up a little bit, a few more hits from everyone else throughout the lineup,’ Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said. ‘Hopefully somebody is going to come up with an important goal.”

Mattias Ekholm injury update

Veteran Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm will return from an injury for Game 5. He last played on April 11.

Ekholm, 34, had 33 points in 65 games this season while averaging 22 minutes a game.

‘For him to come back and feeling great, it’s a great addition to our team,’ said Knoblauch, who expects to go with 12 forwards and six defensemen in the game.

Western Conference final schedule

Dallas Stars vs. Edmonton Oilers

Game 1: Stars 6, Oilers 3
Game 2: Oilers 3, Stars 0
Game 3: Oilers 6, Stars 1
Game 4: Oilers 4, Stars 1
Game 5: Thursday, May 29, Edmonton at Dallas, 8, ESPN
x-Game 6: Saturday, May 31, Dallas at Edmonton, 8, ABC
x-Game 7: Monday, June 2, Edmonton at Dallas, 8, ESPN

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OXON HILL, Md. — In 2024, Faizan Zaki came up short in the spell-off. 

That wasn’t going to happen again. Because he made sure there was no spell-off. But he also didn’t make it easy on himself. 

Zaki bested Sarvadnya Kadam in the 20th round to win the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee on Thursday night. He sealed the deal by nailing éclaircissement, running out of breath and collapsing to the floor as confetti fell on him and the crowd erupted. 

“I can’t describe it,” Zaki said minutes later. “It’s so amazing, getting to this point. Winning? I never expected this.” 

Last year, Zaki lost to Bruhat Soma in the spell-off and became just the fifth runner-up to later win the Bee.

“Obviously, I was really disappointed. But then I just had that sudden drive to keep studying,” Zaki said. “So that’s what motivated me to do better. And now I’m here. I have the trophy.”  

The Allen, Texas, native had a chance to hoist the Scripps Cup after the 18th round before one of the more dramatic Bee scenes in some time ensued. Kadam and Sarv Dharavane misspelled their words before Zaki stepped to the mic.

But he rushed and didn’t pay attention to head pronouncer Dr. Jacques Bailly’s version of “commelina” – Zaki started with a “k” for the word he thought he’d heard – and judge Mary Brooks’ bell rang .

 “He gave us a brief heart attack,” Arshia Quadri, Zaki’s mother, told USA TODAY Sports. “That’s him. It doesn’t surprise me that he did that.”

Zaki – sponsored by the Dallas Sports Commission – signaled to the crowd with a thumbs-up. He had everything under control. 

And after finishing second the year prior, the moment still felt elusive.

“I know he’s put in the work,” Quadri said. “Still, it feels surreal.” 

Finishing as the runner-up last year was “a little bit of a disappointment” for her son, Quadri added. “But we were really excited,” she said. “Even a runner-up is pretty amazing, and we had not gone in expecting that.” 

Still, Quadri never envisioned him holding the trophy “even though he is good.” Call it a mother’s anti-jinx. 

As the competition entered the top-three stage (the night began with nine finalists of 243 who made the trip to a convention center outside Washington D.C.), Zaki said he had no nerves.

But he was tired, and that contributed to his slip-up in the 18th that allowed his last two counterparts a chance to re-enter the competition. 

“I think the reason I did that was I wanted to go back to my hotel room or go to my friends to say hi,” he said while standing next to the Scripps Cup. 

The next week for Zaki will include plenty of time in front of the camera. On Friday, he’ll be on nearly every major network morning show and their streaming complements. He also has time lined up with “Inside Edition” and CNN. “LIVE with Kelly and Mark” is on Monday, and he’s ringing the NASDAQ closing bell that evening.  

Dharavane, a fifth-grader who is 11, finished third and won over the crowd with his cool, upbeat demeanor at the microphone.  

Throughout the three days of competition outside of the nation’s capital, Zaki kept his hands in the pocket of his black Aeropostale hoodie. His long, dark brown hair flowed between his pupils and his eyeglasses. The back-and-forth hand gesture with each letter made another appearance on stage, where he confidently stated his answers, although he still asked pertinent questions and went through his process.  

Zaki came in as the favorite but would never say it. 

“I didn’t want to get too cocky, obviously,” he said. “Now I’m just glad to say that I’ve fulfilled those expectations, and even went beyond them.” 

Zaki would have one more year of eligibility had he not won it all in 2025. Now, he might join Math Olympiad since he enjoys that subject. He’s passionate about linguistics and might enter a competition in that field. 

“I’ll have to think over summer what to do,” Zaki said. “I’ll definitely make sure to get some new hobbies, since spelling’s over.” 

But for one night in May, redemption was spelled “F-A-I-Z-A-N.” 

(This story was updated to include video.)