Chicago Sky All-Star Angel Reese says ‘there’s no place in this league’ for racism and discrimination after hateful comments directed her way during the Sky’s season opener against the Indiana Fever led to a league-wide investigation.

‘It’s tough … and obviously in the moment it’s hard to hear,’ Reese told reporters on Tuesday when asked how the comments affected her play on Saturday. But Reese credited her ‘support system’ with aiding her: ‘I’ve gone through so many different things in the past couple of years of my life, but I think … being part of an organization that really supports me and loves me is something that I couldn’t imagine not being part of.’

Following Chicago’s 93-58 loss to Indiana at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday, the WNBA launched an investigation into fan conduct, saying, ‘The WNBA strongly condemns racism, hate and discrimination … We are aware of the allegations and are looking into the matter.’ Both the Sky and Fever organizations welcomed the investigation and pledged to cooperate.

The WNBA didn’t specify the allegations, but a person with knowledge of the situation told IndyStar, part of the USA TODAY Network, that the league is looking into racist comments directed at Reese by fan(s) in the crowd.

The league has not issued a timeline for the investigation and will not make an announcement about findings until it is complete.

Angel Reese says WNBA ‘has done great job supporting me’

Reese applauded the league and the Sky for taking quick action, pointing to the WNBA’s recently-launched ‘No Space for Hate’ initiative that aims to combat hate and promote respect across the league after racism, discriminatory comments and bullying reached a boiling point in the league during the 2024 season.

‘I think the WNBA and our team and our organization has done a great job supporting me. I’ve had communication from everyone, from so many people across this league,’ Reese said. ‘Going through this process, obviously if it could happen to me, it could happen to anyone. I think they’ve done a great job supporting us in this.’

Reese added: ‘The (WNBA) understands that this is the priority … I believe every player in this league deserves to be treated with respect and want to come to work and just have fun, and have a great environment to work at.’

The ‘No Space for Hate’ initiative features a task force of league and team representatives that focuses on ‘enhanced technological features to detect hateful comments online; increased emphasis on team, arena, and league security measures; reinforcing mental health resources; and alignment of core against hate,’ the WNBA announced last week.

Angel Reese says she has continually faced racism

Reese and Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark have frequently been pitted against each other dating back to their collegiate days at LSU and Iowa, respectively. The popularity surrounding Reese and Clark has translated to increased viewership and support for the league, but it hasn’t always been support in good faith.

In September, Reese was vocal about lack of action by the league and media against racism against players, including her.

‘The media has benefited from my pain & me being villainized to create a narrative,’ she wrote on X at the time. ‘They allowed this. This was beneficial to them… Y’all a little late to the party and could have tried to put out this fire way before it started.’

‘I sometimes share my experiences of things that have happened to me but I’ve also allowed this to happen to me for way too long and now other players in this league are dealing with & experiencing the same things,’ Reese wrote at the time. ‘This isn’t OK at all. Anything beyond criticism about playing the game we love is wrong. I’m sorry to all the players that have/continue to experience the same things I have.’

A late rally by Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever fell just short as the Atlanta Dream won 91-90 in a thrilling finish at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

The Fever trailed by 11 entering the final quarter but started the fourth on an 11-4 run, keyed by two 3-pointers from Clark and one by Lexie Hull to make it 80-76. After the Dream worked their lead back up to nine with 4:33 to go, the Fever found another gear. Indiana proceeded on a 12-2 run, led by Kelsey Mitchell’s seven points, which included the game-tying layup with 1:04 remaining.

After a defensive stand on each end, Indiana’s Aliyah Boston was sent to the free throw line, where she missed the first and made the second to give the Fever a 90-89 lead with 21.1 seconds remaining. On the ensuing possession, Atlanta’s Rhyne Howard was fouled by Mitchell with 9.1 seconds on the clock. Howard made both of her free throws to make it 91-90.

Indiana’s Natasha Howard missed her shot at the buzzer to secure Atlanta’s win.

Clark finished with a game-high 27 points on 9-of-20 shooting, which included a 5-for-11 mark on 3-pointers. Clark added 11 assists, five rebounds and two steals. Brittney Griner led the Dream with 21 points and eight rebounds, while Howard scored 20.

Here is how the Fever vs. Dream game unfolded.

Fever vs. Dream highlights

Caitlin Clark stats tonight

Points: 27
Field goal shooting: 9 for 20
Free throw shooting: 4 for 6
3-point shooting: 5 for 11
Rebounds: 5
Assists: 11
Steals: 2
Blocks: 0
Turnovers: 3
Fouls: 3

End Q3: Dream 76, Fever 65

Atlanta opened things up in the third quarter.

Rhyne Howard was on another level to start the third, knocking down three three-pointers in the first minute and a half to spark an 11-0 run for the Dream. After Indiana got to within five at 57-52, Atlanta proceeded on a 15-7 run during the next three minutes to take a 14-point lead.

Caitlin Clark has a game-high 19 points with eight assists, five rebounds and two steals. Natasha Howard has a team-best 18 points for the Dream and Brionna Jones has 16 points and nine rebounds.

End Q2: Dream 44, Fever 42

After scoring only five points in the first quarter, Caitlin Clark more than tripled her output in the second, recording 11 points and sinking 2-of-3 shots from deep.

Clark has three triples on the night on five attempts, matching the Dream’s total three-pointers on less than one-third of the attempts. After attempting 11 three-pointers in the first, the Dream cooled off a bit, shooting just five in the second, but the team went 0-for-5 from beyond the arc.

While the Dream starters have been able to build leads for their team, the Dream have struggled when going to their bench. Not a single starter has a negative plus-minus through the first half, but their bench is a combined -12 on the night. If the Dream starters are forced out of the game, Indiana might have an easy time securing the win in the second half.

End Q1: Dream 31, Fever 23

The Dream got off to a sizzling start in this one, tallying eight points before Indiana could get their second basket. While the Fever did make a slight comeback in the middle of the quarter, the Dream eventually pulled away at the end, finishing the first ten minutes on a 13-7 run.

What really stands out is the lack of three-point attempts from Indiana. The Dream attempted 11 shots from beyond the arc in the first, while Indiana only attempted two, both from Caitlin Clark. While Atlanta only went 2-of-11 from three, it’s clearly opening up the Dream down low as they shot over 50% from the floor in the first quarter.

Atlanta’s Brionna Jones leads all scorers with 11 points so far. Clark has five for the Fever.

Dream starting lineup

Te-Hina Paopao
Allisha Gray
Rhyne Howard
Brionna Jones
Brittney Griner

Fever starting lineup

Caitlin Clark
Kelsey Mitchell
DeWanna Bonner
Natasha Howard
Aliyah Boston

What time is Fever vs. Dream WNBA game?

The Indiana Fever will play the Atlanta Dream at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Tuesday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

How to watch Fever vs. Dream WNBA game: TV, stream

Time: 7 p.m. ET
Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis)
TV: NBATV, MeTV Indianapolis, PeachtreeTV (Atlanta)
Stream: WNBA League Pass

Just one quarter into the Western Conference finals, the Minnesota Timberwolves got an injury scare — and it concerned their best player.

With less than a minute to play in the period, All-Star shooting guard Anthony Edwards turned his right ankle while driving through the lane against the Oklahoma City Thunder when he landed on his foot, tweaking it.

After spending some minutes in the locker room, Edwards eventually returned to the floor and played the rest of the game, never appearing to be affected by the injury. Edwards, however, did struggle to find his shot and finished with just 18 points in the 114-88 Minnesota loss Tuesday night in Game 1 of the series.

Edwards was fouled on the play and immediately grabbed at his ankle. He appeared to be in some discomfort.

He stayed in the game and made one of his two free throw attempts after the injury. ESPN cameras showed that, after the quarter ended, Edwards went into the locker room, where he remained at the start of the second quarter.

Edwards, who averaged 27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game this season, had scored seven points on 2-of-3 shooting and added three rebounds before suffering the injury.

He made his return in the second quarter, jogging back through a hallway that connects to the locker room at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. Edwards then did some light footwork on the sideline during a timeout and, with 7:01 left in the second quarter, he checked back in.

Edwards did not appear to be hobbled and collected a defensive rebound a few minutes after making his return and then later missed a floating bank shot.

Edwards drew significant attention from the Thunder defenders and had a difficult time asserting himself offensively. He played a team-high 36:34 and finished the game 5-of-13 from the field, including a 3-for-8 night from beyond the arc. He added nine rebounds and three assists in the loss.

When asked postgame if his ankle affected his shooting, Edwards was quick to say it did not.

Game 2 is scheduled for Thursday night at 8:30 p.m. ET.

(This story has been updated with new information).

The veteran quarterback took a step toward his return Tuesday, as he was on the field for seven-on-seven drills during the Dallas Cowboys’ second day of OTAs.

Prescott, who turns 32 in July, acknowledged it felt good to get back on the field. He also explained he has just one, longer-term obstacle to clear as he looks to fully return to action.

‘Pretty much can do it all. Feel good,’ Prescott said, per ESPN’s Todd Archer. ‘Yeah, I think I’m just not cleared for contact, which we’ve got a while for that anyways. Yeah, I’m out there in the team activities, feel good. Just trying to stay that way.’

Prescott injured his hamstring during the Cowboys’ Week 9 game against the Atlanta Falcons. He tore part of the muscle off the bone, which resulted in him needing season-ending surgery.

The longtime Dallas starter spent the offseason aggressively rehabbing the injury. That’s why he believes he’s in a good spot with his recovery.

‘My offseason started way earlier so that’s really essentially why I’m ahead,’ Prescott said, ‘on top of working with (director of rehabilitation Britt Brown), working with this training staff and (Prescott’s personal trainer) Luke (Wilson).’

Prescott doesn’t think he’ll be limited much as he continues to recover from the injury. As Archer reported, members of Dallas’ organization were originally concerned he would be limited as he returned from surgery.

‘People say a lot of things about me, man,’ Prescott said. ‘I just show up and control what I can control healthy. Trying to stay healthy. Feels good. Just trying to push the energy and make sure I continue to get better.’

The NFL unanimously voted to allow its players to participate in flag football at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is among many who are excited about the league’s decision.

‘Just to think about the chances of playing in the Olympics and getting a gold medal, it’s a dream,’ Jefferson told reporters following the Tuesday announcement at the NFL’s spring meeting in Minneapolis.

Jefferson was named one of the NFL’s global flag football ambassadors in 2023. He has since worked with the league to raise the fast-growing sport’s profile.

Even so, the 25-year-old never expected the work to so quickly lead to a potential opportunity to compete in the Olympics.

‘Just reverting back to being a kid and watching the track and field meets, watching basketball win the gold medal – that’s something that as a kid, I always wanted to be a part of,’ Jefferson said. ‘But football wasn’t [global.] So now that we’re expanding the game and we’re going more globally, it’s pretty cool.’

While Jefferson is interested in potentially participating in the 2028 Olympics, he noted he would take time to weigh his decision to play, as the Summer Games aren’t for another three years.

‘I definitely would look forward to it if it came down to it, but that’s something I have to ask myself,’ Jefferson said of participating in the Olympics, per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor.

Jefferson isn’t the only NFL player considering participating in the Olympics. Patrick Mahomes and Tyreek Hill are among the most notable players to express an interest in playing flag football at the Los Angeles Games.

Like Jefferson, those athletes figure to take time to contemplate their decisions, but the NFL’s ruling has at least cleared a path for those stars to compete for spots on the Olympic team if they so desire.

The Oklahoma City Thunder stomached a nauseating shooting performance from MVP finalist Shai Gilgeous-Alexander through two-and-a-half quarters, absorbed a 3-point barrage from Minnesota’s Julius Randle, relied on their trademark depth and versatility and emerged with a 114-88 victory in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals.

Gilgeous-Alexander missed 11 of his first 13 shots but found his shooting touch in the second half, scoring 12 of his game-high 31 points in the third quarter and finishing with nine assists, five rebounds and three steals. All-Star Jalen Williams added 19 points, eight rebounds, five assists and five steals, and Chet Holmgren had 15 points and seven rebounds.

The Thunder took control of the game in the second half, closing the third quarter on a 20-6 run for a 76-56 lead and Oklahoma City extended its lead to 99-84 with 4:24 left in the fourth quarter. Oklahoma City outscored Minnesota 70-40 in the second half.

While bench points were close (32-26 OKC), Minnesota’s reserves shot just 9-for-37 from the field, including 5-for-28 on 3-pointers. The Thunder, which had the No. 1 defense during the regular season, held the Timberwolves to 34.9% shooting from the field and 29.4% on 3s.

Randle scored 20 points and made five 3s in the first half, but he had just eight points in the second half. Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards had a pedestrian 18 points and nine rebounds. He left the game briefly in the first quarter to check on a bothersome right ankle. He returned in the second quarter and appeared fine.

While just one game, the Game 1 winner is important. Game 1 winners in a best-of-seven series have won the series 75.4% of the time, and teams that win Game 1 of a best-of-seven series at home go on to win the series 84.4% of the time.

Game 2 is Thursday in Oklahoma City (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN). Catch up on all the highlights from Game 1 with a recap from USA TODAY Sports:

Thunder vs. Timberwolves highlights

Jaden McDaniels fouls out

Minnesota’s Jaden McDaniels fouled out with 5:21 remaining in the game as the Timberwolves trailed 81-93.

End of Q3: Thunder 76, Timberwolves 66

The Thunder trailed by as many as nine points in the first half, but Oklahoma City found its rhythm in the third quarter and went on a 20-6 run to take an 10-point lead into the fourth quarter.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 12 of his 23 points in the third quarter, while Jalen Williams added 15 points. The Thunder is shooting 45.9% from the field, while the Timberwolves are shooting 33.9%.

The Timberwolves were outscored 32-18 in the third quarter. To make matters worse, Edwards picked up his fourth foul with 1:08 remaining in the third quarter. Jaden McDaniels also has four fouls. Edwards is up to 18 points and seven rebounds, while Julius Randle has 20 points (all scored in the first half). The Timberwolves bench has been held to 12 points.

Halftime: Timberwolves 48, Thunder 44

The Timberwolves head to the locker room with a four-point lead over the Thunder, thanks to a monster first half from Julius Randle. Randle has 20 of Minnesota’s 48 points, shooting 6-of-8 from the field and 5-of-6 from 3-pointers. His five 3s already marks a playoff career-high for Randle. 

The Timberwolves are 10-of-28 collectively from 3, while the Thunder have only hit 3-of-8 3-pointers. Oklahoma City, however, has done most of its damage inside and has outscored Minnesota 22-4 in the paint.

Despite having a team-high 11 points, Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has struggled so far. He’s 2-of-13 from the field and 0-of-2 from 3, but he has made 7-of-9 free throws to save his stat line. 

The Timberwolves have surrendered 11 turnovers, which has translated to 18 points for the Thunder.

Anthony Edwards returns after ankle tweak

Just one quarter into the Western Conference finals, the Minnesota Timberwolves got an injury scare — and it concerns their best player.

With less than a minute to play in the period, All-Star shooting guard Anthony Edwards turned his right ankle while driving through the lane against the Oklahoma City Thunder when he landed on his foot, tweaking it. Edwards was fouled on the play and immediately grabbed at his ankle. He appeared to be in some discomfort.

Edwards stayed in the game and made one of his two free throw attempts after the injury. ESPN cameras showed that, after the quarter ended, Edwards went into the locker room, where he remained at the start of the second quarter, but he returned to the floor with 7:01 remaining in the half.

Read Lorenzo Reyes’ full injury report here.

End of Q1: Timberwolves 23, Thunder 20

The Timberwolves have a three-point advantage over the Thunder after one quarter. Anthony Edwards has a team-high 7 points (2-of-3 FG, 1-of-1 3PT) for Minnesota, but he headed back to the locker room limping with an apparent ankle injury. He appeared to tweak his right ankle after landing on Alex Caruso as he drove to the basket in the closing minutes of the first quarter. 

Despite coming off nearly a week of rest, the Timberwolves came out red-hot and jumped to a 8-0 lead over the Thunder, with their first five points coming from Minnesota’s Jaden McDaniels. The Thunder settled in and took their first lead of the night, 17-16, with 4:58 remaining. 

The Thunder’s relentless pressure was on full display and more than half of their points came off turnovers. The Timberwolves were forced into seven turnovers that Oklahoma City converted into 13 points. Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a game-high 9 points (2-of-8 FG, 0-of-2 3PT).

What time is Timberwolves vs. Thunder?

Game 1 of the NBA’s Western Conference Final series between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder gets underway at 8:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. CT.

How to watch Timberwolves vs. Thunder: TV, stream

Time: 8:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. CT
Location: Paycom Center; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
TV: ESPN
Stream: ESPN+, Fubo

Timberwolves-Thunder starting lineups

The Timberwolves and Thunder are sticking with the same lineups they’ve been riding throughout the 2025 NBA Playoffs:

Minnesota Timberwolves

Jaden McDaniels
Julius Randle
Rudy Gobert
Anthony Edwards
Mike Conley

Oklahoma City Thunder

Jalen Williams
Chet Holmgren
Isaiah Hartenstein
Lu Dort
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

What is Thunder’s mascot?

The Oklahoma City Thunder’s mascot is none other than Rumble the Bison, who is named after the sound of thunder. Rumble the Bison made a special appearance on ESPN’s pregame show, leading many to wonder why a bison is the mascot? Well, bison are the official state animal of Oklahoma. 

Mike Conley stats

Conley averaged a career-low 8.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 71 games this year, which marks his 18th season in the NBA. He has averaged 6.8 points, 3.8 assists and 3.3 rebounds in 10 games in the 2025 playoffs.

Stars align with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Anthony Edwards

Look at the NBA finalists and champions. You need stars to win, and both teams have them. Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is an MVP finalist and very well could win the award for the first time in his career. He’s a scorer first, especially inside the 3-point line and at the foul line, but he can create for others.

Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards will make one of the three All-NBA teams this season as he gets closer to MVP territory. Just 23 years old, Edwards’ ability to score, rebound, pass and defend makes him difficult to match-up with offensively and defensively. He’s fun to watch and has a delightful swagger to his game.

X-factors on strong rosters

Every game has a player who makes a bigger-than-expected contribution. It’s not always the same player, especially with the depth Minnesota and Oklahoma City possess. For Minnesota, it might be Jaden McDaniel’s defense or Rudy Gobert’s rim protection. Or a timely 3-pointer from Mike Conley or a big game from Donte DiVincenzo or Naz Reid.

For the Thunder, Alex Caruso was that player in Game 7 against Denver, with 11 points, three assists, three steals and intense defense. Chet Holmgren – at 7-1 – can make 3s, rebound and block shots, presenting unique problems for the opponent. Center Isaiah Hartenstein can deliver a double-double and Lu Dort’s shooting and defense can impact the outcome. The Thunder will go deep into their bench with Aaron Wiggins and Cason Wallace, Isaiah Joe and Jaylin Williams.

Thunder coach Mark Daigneault on T’Wolves’ officiating pleas

Oklahoma City’s Mark Daigneault isn’t worried about the Timberwolves trying to campaign for favorable calls.

‘I mean, teams, players, coaches are going to use the media to try to influence the whistle as a competitive advantage,’ Daigneault said Monday. ‘The margins are thin. In the playoffs, everyone’s looking for an advantage. Some teams will go to that to do that.’

Daigneault continued: ‘My mentality on that is, it’s the Western Conference finals. The (referees) working these games aren’t here for an accident. I don’t think they’re influenced by anything I say, anything our team says. I don’t think they’re compromised by anything anybody else says. You know, we just are going to focus on what we can control. If they are influenced by anything that anybody says in the media, they shouldn’t be working in the Western Conference finals, and everyone would know, because it’s been pretty consistent to this point. So that’s how I look at it.’

Timberwolves vs. Thunder predictions: Expert Picks

USA TODAY Sports experts make predictions ahead of the series Games 1:

Timberwolves vs. Thunder series winner

Jeff Zillgitt: Thunder in seven
Lorenzo Reyes: Thunder in six
Heather Tucker: Thunder in six
James Williams: Thunder in six
Jordan Mendoza: Timberwolves in six
Scooby Axson: Thunder in six
Cydney Henderson: Thunder in seven

Timberwolves vs. Thunder Game 1 winner

Jeff Zillgitt: Oklahoma City Thunder
Lorenzo Reyes: Oklahoma City Thunder
Heather Tucker: Oklahoma City Thunder
James Williams: Oklahoma City Thunder
Scooby Axson: Oklahoma City Thunder
Cydney Henderson: Oklahoma City Thunder

Timberwolves vs. Thunder odds

Odds via BetMGM as of Monday, May 19

Game 1 odds

Line: Thunder – 7.5
Moneyline: Thunder -325, Timberwolves +260
Over/under: 215.5

Odds to win Western Conference Final

Oklahoma City Thunder -350
Minnesota Timberwolves +280

June 1, 2006.

That’s the last time the Carolina Hurricanes won a game in the conference finals, defeating the Buffalo Sabres in Game 7 to advance to the Stanley Cup Final. Since then, they’ve dropped 13 consecutive games in the conference finals, the latest coming Tuesday against the Florida Panthers in Game 1 of this year’s Eastern Conference finals.

The defending champion Panthers got goals from five different players, including two power play tallies, as they stole home ice advantage away from the Hurricanes.

Carolina will hope to regroup and break a semifinal slide that started in 2009, when it was swept by the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Hurricanes were then swept in the Eastern Conference finals in 2019 (by the Bruins) and 2023 (by the Panthers).

Here’s all the highlights from Game 1 of the 2025 Eastern Conference finals between the Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers:

Panthers vs. Hurricanes highlights

Final score: Panthers 5, Hurricanes 2

Eetu Luostarinen added to Florida’s lead with a goal at 14:55 of the third.

The Hurricanes finally scored again at 16:19, on the power play, but it was too little, too late.

Brad Marchand’s night ends early

The Panthers’ pest was assessed four minutes in roughing minors and a 10-minute misconduct after he went after Carolina defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere, who had appeared to intentionally shoot the puck right at Marchand.

Gostisbehere’s shot was seemingly in response to Marchand’s actions earlier in his shift, when he clipped Gostisbehere after the defenseman had moved the puck.

Gostisbehere was only assessed two minutes for roughing, so the Hurricanes got a power play. Since the incident occurred at 8:15 of the third period, and with 14 minutes of penalties on the board, Marchand was escorted to the locker room.

Panthers 4, Hurricanes 1: Florida scores another power play goal

The Panthers went over 15 minutes without a shot, per TNT’s broadcast, but they made their 16th shot of the game count.

Sam Bennett’s shot from deep found its way past Frederik Andersen at 6:08 of the third period. The Panthers were on the power play after Scott Morrow took a delay of game penalty for shooting the puck over the glass.

Feels like this one might just be about over.

Panthers 3, Hurricanes 1: End of second period

There was no more scoring in the second period after A.J. Greer’s goal. Each team got a power play chance in the period but neither converted.

Carolina’s Frederik Andersen has 12 saves on 15 shots (.800 save percentage). The top goalie in the playoffs so far, Andersen gave up just six goals total in five games against Washington.

Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky has stopped 19 of the 20 shots he’s faced.

Panthers 3, Hurricanes 1: A.J. Greer scores

Florida has its two-goal lead back early in the second period.

A.J. Greer cashed in with a nice shot off a strong Panthers rush at 3:33 of the second.

Panthers 2, Hurricanes 1: Carolina cuts deficit just before intermission break

Some redemption for Sebastian Aho, whose (perhaps unfair) penalty led to Florida’s first goal. The puck deflects off his skate and goes past Sergei Bobrovsky with just 16 seconds to play in the first period.

Panthers 2, Hurricanes 0: Aaron Ekblad extends Florida’s lead

Carolina has quite a hill to climb now if it’s to avoid a 13th consecutive loss in the conference finals.

The former No. 1 overall pick doubled Florida’s lead with a perfectly-placed shot at 12:29 of the first period.

Panthers 1, Hurricanes 0: Florida scores power-play goal

Carter Verhaeghe gets the defending champs on the board with a power-play goal at 8:30 of the first period, scoring on the backhand from in tight.

A tough roughing call on Sebastian Aho short-circuited a Carolina power play and led to the Florida extra-man chance after 4-on-4 play expired.

What time is Hurricanes vs. Panthers NHL playoff game?

Game 1 of the Carolina Hurricanes-Florida Panthers series is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. ET in Raleigh, North Carolina.

How to watch Hurricanes vs. Panthers NHL playoff game: TV, stream

Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Lenovo Center (Raleigh, North Carolina)
TV: TNT
Stream: Sling TV, Max