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GOP rails against ‘blatantly false’ Dem claims about Medicaid reform in Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’

House Republicans are celebrating Medicaid reform in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which the House GOP says eliminates waste, fraud and abuse to deliver for Americans who need coverage most. 

Meanwhile, Democrats have railed against possible Medicaid cuts since President Donald Trump was elected in November. Now that his ‘big, beautiful bill’ has passed in the House of Representatives, Democrats are defining Medicaid cuts as a driving issue ahead of competitive midterm elections in 2026. 

Republicans say there is more to the story. 

‘The One, Big Beautiful Bill puts Americans first. We’re securing the border. We’re protecting benefits for the most vulnerable. We are investing in American manufacturing. We’re investing in our own energy production,’ Rep. Erin Houchin, R-Ind., told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview. 

‘The Democrats have been focusing on this specific line of attack that 13.7 million Americans are going to lose their health care, and that’s just blatantly false.’

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO), a nonpartisan analysis for the U.S. Congress, estimates that 8.6 million people in the United States will lose health insurance by 2034 through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s Medicaid reform. 

‘Five million of those people are receiving a tax credit under the Affordable Care Act that was passed by the Democrats with a sunset date that was implemented by the Democrats. We’re simply allowing the sunset date to expire as the Democrats originally intended,’ Houchin said. 

CBO estimates that 13.7 million Americans will lose coverage by 2034, which also includes the 5 million Americans who were already set to lose coverage. A number of Democrats have already deployed the figure in campaign messages rejecting Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ passing in the House.

‘I don’t trust the CBO score, nor should the American people, because it’s been proven again and again to be wildly off,’ added Houchin, who served on three major committees leading budget markup, including the House Rules, Budget and Energy and Commerce committees. 

The American Accountability Foundation, a conservative government research nonprofit, found that of the 32 staff members on CBO’s Health Analysis Division, 26 of them have ‘clearly’ verified liberal partisan biases, as a Democrat donor, registered Democrat or a Democratic primary voter, as Fox News Digital reported this month. 

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act does not cut Medicaid for the most vulnerable, according to Houchin. Instead, she says targeting waste, fraud and abuse in the Medicaid program cuts benefits to illegal immigrants, those ineligible to receive benefits who are currently receiving benefits, duplicate enrollees in one or more states and those who are able-bodied but are choosing not to work. 

‘If you have to think about the four things that we’re doing in Medicaid to strengthen it, we’re removing anybody that is illegal, ineligible or duplicate, and we’re ensuring that able-bodied adults, on the expansion population, have a very modest work requirement, in exchange for receiving benefits. Those things are overwhelmingly supported by the American people, yet the Democrats continue to lie about what this bill is actually doing,’ Houchin said. 

Republicans say they are cleaning up the program to ensure working families and the most vulnerable Americans can rely on the program for generations to come. 

‘What we’re trying to do is protect precious Medicaid dollars for those who need it most,’ Houchin said. ‘That’s what we’re doing. No one in the traditional Medicaid population needs to worry. And even if you’re in the able-body expansion population, there are many opportunities to comply to participate in Medicaid.’

However, Democrats have already designated Medicaid cuts as a defining issue in 2026. 

‘House Republicans’ giant tax scam will kick millions of people off their health insurance,’ Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) spokesperson Viet Shelton told Fox News Digital. ‘It is fact. Independent analysts say it. Health care professionals say it. Hell, even Republican senators say so. Their saying anything to the contrary is just them trying to protect their already in danger majority.’

After weeks of negotiating through budget reconciliation, House Republicans finally reached a consensus and passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act last week. The bill passed just 215 to 214, and all Democrats voted against it. Republicans’ slim majority managed to deliver a legislative win for Trump. 

However, the ‘big, beautiful’ fight is far from over as the Senate is tasked with drafting their own version of the bill. Senate Republicans have indicated they do not support the bill in its current form. 

‘I don’t want to see rural hospitals close their doors because funding got cut. I also don’t like the idea of a hidden tax on the working poor. That’s why I’m a NO on this House bill in its current form,’ Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., said. 

The sweeping, multitrillion-dollar legislation advances Trump’s agenda on taxes, immigration, energy, defense and the national debt. The bill includes Trump’s key campaign promises, including no tax on tips and overtime, and it seeks to permanently extend his 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. 

‘By passing the largest cut to Medicaid in history, Republicans are ripping away health care from millions of Americans and levying a de facto hidden tax on working-class families,’ DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene said in a statement after the bill passed. ‘Now that vulnerable Republicans are on the record voting for it, this betrayal of the American people will cost them their jobs in the midterms and Republicans the House Majority come 2026.’

While Democrats target vulnerable Republicans for supporting Medicaid reform in Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill,’ Republicans are taking aim at Democrats for voting against the bill’s tax cuts.

‘House Democrats voted for the largest tax increase in generations while giving taxpayer-funded freebies to illegal immigrants. The NRCC will make sure voters don’t forget how they betrayed working families,’ National Republican Campaign Committee (NRCC) spokesman Mike Marinella said in a statement to Fox News Digital. 

As House members return to their home states and communicate with constituents during the congressional recess, the NRCC is encouraging House Republicans to go on the offense on Medicaid reform. 

‘We’re encouraging all of our caucus, our conference members to continue to communicate with the local and national media to reiterate what we know to be true about this One Big Beautiful Bill,’ Houchin said. 

‘It puts Americans first and will ensure that these programs will be around for the next generation, because we’re not wasting any tax dollars, any precious benefits on people who are illegal, ineligible, enrolled in multiple states or are able-bodied and could be working. These programs were designed for our most vulnerable Americans, and the One Big Beautiful Bill protects benefits for those people.’

Fox News Digital’s Elizabeth Elkind and Louis Casiano contributed to this report. 

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SCOOP: GOP push for new House committee to probe Biden decline ‘cover-up’ gains steam

House Republicans are mounting a push to start a new select committee focused on investigating the Biden administration for allegedly ‘covering up’ signs of the 82-year-old former president’s decline.

Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., is introducing legislation Thursday that would establish a panel of congressional investigators to ‘investigate and report upon the facts of President Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr.’s cognitive and physical health decline and the potential concealment of information from the American public,’ according to bill text obtained by Fox News Digital.

As of Thursday morning, the resolution had four co-sponsors in addition to Carter: Reps. Mark Alford, R-Mo., John Rose, R-Tenn., Derrick Van Orden, R-Wis., and Barry Moore, R-Ala.

Republicans have unleashed a tidal wave of scrutiny on the previous Democrat White House as new reports – as well as old concerns previously dismissed by mainstream media – surface about Biden’s mental state while in office and what lengths those closest to him took to allegedly hide it from others. 

Carter’s text calls to investigate former Vice President Kamala Harris and former first lady Jill Biden as well as whoever took part in keeping the audio tapes of Special Counsel Robert Hur’s interview with Biden from the public.

The select committee would also focus on whether Biden allies ‘concealed’ his prostate cancer diagnosis before it was announced publicly last week. 

Biden’s spokesperson denied prior knowledge of the diagnosis in a statement to the New York Times.

The resolution also specifically called for a probe into the use of the autopen in Biden’s White House to sign meaningful legislation.

‘This is potentially the biggest political scandal of our lifetime, and the American people deserve to know the truth about who was really running the White House during Biden’s tenure as president,’ Carter told Fox News Digital of his legislation.

‘From using the autopen to pardon his own family members to likely concealing a cancer diagnosis, our government must restore trust with the public by fully investigating the former administration’s lies and getting to the bottom of one of the most consequential coverups in history.’

Carter, who is currently running for Senate in Georgia, was among several Republicans who demanded Biden take a cognitive test last year.

‘The American people can no longer be left to wonder about their safety and security because of the President’s deteriorating mental state,’ Carter wrote in a June 2024 letter to the White House.

His new resolution comes on the heels of House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky., opening his own investigation into revelations surrounding Biden’s cognitive decline.

Comer spent much of the last Congress investigating whether Biden and his family unjustly profited from foreign cash.

The House Oversight chair sent letters to former senior White House aides, including Biden’s doctor, Kevin O’Connor, announcing a probe into ‘the role of former senior Biden White House officials in possibly usurping authority from former President Joe Biden and the ramifications of a White House staff intent on hiding his rapidly worsening mental and physical faculties.’

Meanwhile, first-term Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Fla., called for a similar select committee on Wednesday.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
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How to watch Scripps National Spelling Bee 2025 finals

An orthographic, prepubescent champion will be crowned Thursday when the 2025 Scripps Spelling Bee wraps up with its final round outside of Washington D.C. 

Nine spellers, ages 12-14, advanced to the final round over the first two days of the national competition. That is a cutdown from the 99 who made it to the quarterfinals Wednesday, with 57 advancing to the semifinals.  

The remaining nine will square off in the finals beginning at 8 p.m. ET on ION with The Scripps Cup (and a $50,000 cash prize) on the line. Faizan Zaki, the 2024 runner-up, is among the group from which a champion will be named during the Bee’s 100th anniversary celebration. 

Scripps National Spelling Bee finals live stream, TV channel

The Bee’s finals will air on Scripps-owned channel ION. The finals will also air on Scripps’ other national networks: Bounce, Grit, ION Mystery and Laff, as well as its free, ad-supported streaming channels ION Plus, Scripps News, Bounce XL, Grit Xtra, Laff More and spellingbee.com. 

Scripps National Spelling Bee finals start time 

The finals begin at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. 

Fans can head to spellingbee.com/watch and enter their zip code for instructions on how to watch the Bee in their specific area. 

Who will win the 2025 Spelling Bee? 

Zaiki, a 13-year-old from Dallas, Texas, is a strong candidate based on track record. He’s the lone returning finalist and is competing in his fourth Bee. He advanced to the quarterfinals with a perfect score of 35 in the Round 3 preliminaries test Tuesday afternoon (the minimum score needed to advance was 13).

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
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Will KAT play for the Knicks? Star’s status in question vs. Pacers

The New York Knicks are looking to save their season Thursday night, but will they have their second-best offensive weapon?

Center Karl-Anthony Towns suffered a left knee contusion late in Tuesday night’s Game 4 loss in the Eastern Conference finals against the Pacers when he crashed knees with Indiana guard Aaron Nesmith.

“I’m only thinking about the loss,” Towns said Tuesday night when asked about the injury. “I’m not thinking about that right now. It’s disappointing when you don’t get a win and we didn’t do enough to get the job done tonight.”

New York, which trails 3-1 in the series, will look to stave off elimination Thursday night at home (Game 5, 8 p.m. ET, TNT).

Here’s everything you need to know about Karl-Anthony Towns’ injured left knee and his playing status for Thursday night in the Eastern Conference finals:

Is Karl-Anthony Towns playing tonight?

His status is still up in the air. Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said Tuesday night that Towns would be evaluated ahead of Game 5 to determine his availability. The Knicks officially listed Towns as questionable on Wednesday’s injury report with a left knee contusion.

Assuming Towns does not suffer any setback ahead of Thursday afternoon, the Knicks could opt to run Towns through pregame treatment before his hitting the court for shootaround, to see how his knee responds before making a determination on his playing status.

The five-time All-Star has averaged 25.8 points, 11.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists through four games of the Eastern Conference finals. He had a team-high 24 points in the Knicks’ Game 3 comeback win, when he scored 20 of his 24 in the fourth quarter as the Knicks overcame a 20-point deficit.

How did Karl-Anthony Towns get hurt?

With a little more than two minutes to play in Game 4, Nesmith fielded a pass and then drove to the basket, where he met Towns, who stepped up to help on defense. Nesmith’s right knee crashed into Towns’ left, sending Towns crumpling to the floor in obvious discomfort.

Trainers examined Towns on the bench during a timeout, as he continued to exhibit pain. Eventually, however, Towns would return and would finish the game, something Thibodeau called a “good sign” for his status for Game 5.

Towns, though, labored up the floor following the injury, clearly favoring his left leg. It is an injury to the same knee he had surgery on to repair a torn meniscus during the 2023-24 season when he was with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He missed a month, but was able to return for the playoffs.

(This story will be updated with new information.)

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
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Thunder vs. Timberwolves highlights: OKC headed to NBA Finals

Four victories. That’s what the Oklahoma City Thunder need to win the franchise’s first championship since 1979 when they were the Seattle SuperSonics.

The Thunder reached the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012, beating the Minnesota Timberwolves 124-94 Wednesday in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals.

Game 1 of the NBA Finals is Thursday, June 5, in Oklahoma City (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC), and the Thunder will play the winner of the Indiana-New York series.

Oklahoma City dominated from start to finish, jumping to a 26-9 first-quarter lead and never letting up until the outcome was guaranteed. The Thunder led by as many as 39 points, and it was never a competitive game on the scoreboard.

Shop OKC Thunder NBA Finals tickets

NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander got it started with a hand in the Thunder’s first 11 points, assisting on four made field goals and making the other one, and he assisted on or scored 24 of their 26 first-quarter points.

He finished with a game-high 34 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and two steals – marking his seventh game with at least 30 points in the past eight games. Chet Holmgren had 22 points, seven rebounds and three blocks, and All-NBA forward Jalen Williams generated 19 points, eight rebounds, five assists, one block and one steal.

Oklahoma City’s league-best defense stumped Minnesota again, holding the Timberwolves to 41.2% shooting.

The Timberwolves exit the conference finals for the second consecutive season, and while deep playoff runs are the sign of a quality team, the Timberwolves aren’t yet Finals material. They didn’t have the personnel – even after trading Karl-Anthony Towns to New York for Julius Randle – to stay with the Thunder. Turnovers were a problem throughout the series.

Randle scored a team-high 24 points, and All-NBA star Anthony Edwards had 19 points.

Opinion: Sorry Pacers, Knicks. Thunder are your NBA champions

The Oklahoma City Thunder are your 2025 NBA champions.

Well, not officially.

Officially, they are just the 2025 Western Conference champs after eliminating the Minnesota Timberwolves in a five-game conference finals.

But you know where this is headed. The Thunder were the best team during the NBA’s regular season. They won the Western Conference in dominating fashion. Game 5 was a demolition – a 124-94 Thunder victory that left no doubt.

Read Jeff Zillgitt’s column here.

Timberwolves vs. Thunder Game 5: Highlights

Final: Thunder 124, Timberwolves 94

Oklahoma City dominated from start to finish, jumping to a 26-9 first-quarter lead and never letting up until the outcome was guaranteed. The Thunder led by as many as 39 points, and it was never a competitive game on the scoreboard.

End of 3Q: Thunder 88, Timberwolves 62

The Timberwolves outscored the Thunder 30-23 in the third period, but Oklahoma holds a comfortable lead.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the Thunder with 28 points, shooting 12-of-23 from the field. He also has seven assists, six rebounds and two steals in 31 minutes of play.

Julius Randle added 13 of his 21 points in the quarter for the Timberwolves. He didn’t miss a shot in the period. Anthony Edwards scored 19 points through the first three quarters. He’s shot 7-of-17 from the field and has struggled from the 3-point line, going 1-for-7.

Halftime: Thunder 65, Timberwolves 32

The Thunder need just two more quarters of solid basketball, and they will be headed for the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012.

Oklahoma City did not mess around in the first half, sending a message early and taking a 65-32 lead into halftime against the Timberwolves.

NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has 20 points, five assists, four rebounds and one steal. Chet Holmgren has 15 points for the Thunder, who shot 50% in the first half. Jalen Williams has 15 points and six rebounds, and Alex Caruso added eight points and three steals in 13 minutes.

Turnovers are once again a problem for Minesota, which committed 14 leading to 14 Thunder points. Anthony Edwards has a team-high nine points on 3-for-10 shooting for the Timberwolves (31.6% from the field, 27.8% on 3-pointers).

Thunder pouring it on

Another Thunder scoring spurt and another Timberwolves timeout. Minnesota called a timeout after Jalen Williams’ layup gave the Thunder a 36-14 lead with 9:04 left in the second quarter.

Oklahoma City is 14-for-27 from the field, and Minnesota is 5-for-23, including 2-for-10 on 3-pointers – and Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle are the only Minnesota starters who have scored.

1Q: Thunder 26, Timberwolves 9

The Thunder produced a dominant performance in the opening quarter, limiting the Timberwolves’ offense to just nine points. It was the fewest points the Timberwolves had scored in any quarter this season.

Anthony Edwards scored six points and Julius Randle scored three points in the first quarter for the Timberwolves. Jaden McDaniels went 0-for-6 from the field and 0-for-3 from the 3-point line.

Mike Conley was optimistic about the Timberwolves’ outlook for the final three quarters of play when talking with ESPN.

“It’s all heart right now. … That’s all we are preaching right now to try and get back into this game,” Conley said.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to meet the standard as the regular season MVP, leading the game with 12 points, five assists and three rebounds for the Thunder. Chet Holmgren added seven points.

Thunder off to fast start

The Thunder have an 11-3 lead with 7:11 remaining in the first quarter, forcing Timberwolves coach Chris Finch to call a timeout after Chet Holmgren’s second dunk of the game. Holmgren has seven quick points, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is responsible for all 11 points. He has assisted on four of the Thunder’s five made field goals and made the other shot.

What time is Timberwolves vs. Thunder?

Game 5 of the Western Conference finals between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder will tip at 8:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.

What channel is the NBA game on tonight? How to watch NBA playoffs

The Thunder take on the Timberwolves at 8:30 p.m. ET with coverage on ESPN.

Timberwolves vs. Thunder predictions: Expert picks for Game 5

USA TODAY: Thunder is the unanimous pick

Scooby Axson: Thunder 121, Timberwolves 114
Jordan Mendoza: Thunder 116, Timberwolves 104
Lorenzo Reyes: Thunder 124, Timberwolves 97
Heather Tucker: Thunder 112, Wolves 90
Jeff Zillgitt: Thunder 119, Timberwolves 104

Fox Sports: Thunder 118, Timberwolves 107

Fox Sports expects the Thunder to not only win but cover the -8.5 spread in Wednesday’s Game 5. They point at Oklahoma City’s 83.3% win rate as the favorites this season as a big reason they are riding with the Thunder.

Dimers: Thunder 114, Timberwolves 106

The Thunder are expected to win the series against the Timberwolves according to Dimers. Their model gives the Thunder a staggering 76% chance to win Wednesday night, leaving the Timberwolves just a 24% chance of extending the series.

Timberwolves vs. Thunder odds, lines:

The Thunder are favored to beat the Timberwolves in Game 5, according to BetMGM.  Here is a look at the latest spread, moneyline and points total for the contest:

All odds as of Wednesday, May 28.

Spread: Thunder (-8.5)
Moneyline: Thunder (-375); Timberwolves (+290)
Over/under: 221.5

Where to watch Timberwolves vs. Thunder Game 5: TV, stream

Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
Location: Paycom Center in Oklahoma City
TV: ESPN
Stream:  ESPN+, Fubo

Watch Timberwolves vs. Thunder Game 5 on Fubo

Minnesota Timberwolves Game 5 starting lineup

Jaden McDaniels
Julius Randle
Rudy Gobert
Anthony Edwards
Mike Conley

Oklahoma City Thunder Game 5 starting lineup

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

Timberwolves star duo must step up

Anthony Edwards and Julius Randall were limited to just a combined 21 points in the Game 4 loss to the Thunder. The Timberwolves managed to get the best of the Thunder of in Game 3 after the duo combined for 54 points.

Timberwolves face difficult scenario

The odds are against the Timberwolves who trail 3-1 in the West finals. Just 13 teams have come back from a 3-1 deficit to win a series. Denver was the last team to do it, eliminating two 3-1 deficits in the 2020 bubble playoffs. The last team to do it in a normal season is Cleveland in the 2016 NBA Finals against Golden State.

“I don’t sense any panic in the group,’ Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said before Game 5. ‘A lot of positivity, a lot of connectivity, a lot of belief.’

Thunder keeping focus on Game 5

The Thunder are one victory from reaching the NBA Finals. But OKC coach Mark Daigneault isn’t concerned about that.

“It’s a distraction,” Daigneault said about two hours before tip-off. “It’s obviously something positive, but it’s a distraction nonetheless because it’s something that can take us out of the present moment, the next possession, the next game and that’s how you stack up to whatever you want to accomplish. That’s what we have to do tonight. This team’s done a great job of growing through those types of experiences and staying present in those types of circumstances. Tonight’s a new challenge, and that’s what we have to do if we want to win the game.”

Where is Timberwolves-Thunder Game 5?

The Thunder will host the Timberwolves from Paycom Center in Oklahoma City for Game 5 of the Western Conference finals. 

NBA championship odds 

BetMGM odds forNBA Finals winner as of Wednesday, May 28: 

1. Oklahoma City Thunder (-425) 
2. Indiana Pacers (+450) 
3. New York Knicks (+3000) 
4. Minnesota Timberwolves (+5000) 

When are the 2025 NBA Finals? Schedule

*-if necessary

Game 1, June 5: 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC
Game 2, June 8: TBD, ABC
Game 3, June 11: TBD, ABC
Game 4, June 13: TBD, ABC
Game 5, June 16: TBD, ABC*
Game 6, June 19: TBD, ABC*
Game 7, June 22: TBD, ABC*

NBA conference finals bracket 

Eastern Conference finals 

No. 3 New York Knicks vs. No. 4 Indiana Pacers (Indiana leads series 3-1) 

Western Conference finals 

No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves (OKC leads series 3-1) 

NBA conference finals schedule 

New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers (Pacers lead series 3-1)

Game 1: Pacers 138, Knicks 135 
Game 2: Pacers 114, Knicks 109 
Game 3: Knicks 106, Pacers 100 
Game 4: Pacers 130, Knicks 121
Game 5, May 29: Pacers at Knicks | TNT, Sling TV | 8 p.m. 
Game 6, May 31: Knicks at Pacers | TNT, Sling TV | 8 p.m.* 
Game 7, June 2: Pacers at Knicks | TNT, Sling TV | 8 p.m.* 

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (Thunder win series 4-1)

Game 1: Thunder 114, Timberwolves 88 
Game 2: Thunder 118, Timberwolves 103 
Game 3: Timberwolves 143, Thunder 101 
Game 4: Thunder 128, Timberwolves 126 
Game 5: Thunder 124, Timberwolves 94

NBA’s new era of parity

If the impending NBA Finals matchup of the league’s 23rd and 27th-ranked media markets is supposed to spell doom for the league, it is a doom the NBA’s owners intentionally brought on themselves. 

While two glitz-free Midwestern cities in the Finals might not have the celebrity pull the NBA has largely enjoyed through its historically successful franchises, it was an inevitable outcome once the league designed a collective bargaining agreement that dismantled its traditional cycle of superteams and dynasties. 

Welcome to the new NBA, where championship windows are smaller, the life cycle of a roster is shorter and the number of teams that can win a title in any given year is beyond anything we’ve seen in our lifetimes. — Dan Wolken

Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards in Game 4

Edwards had 16 points on 5-for-13 shooting and was just 1-for-7 on 3s. That’s not enough – the Timberwolves need more shooting and scoring from Edwards. It’s the second time Edwards, who averaged 27.6 points during the regular season, has scored fewer than 20 points in this series.

Oklahoma City executed another strong defensive gameplan, keeping Edwards from dominating.

Jalen Williams shines before Game 5

Williams surpassed his previous playoff high (32 points against Denver in overtime earlier this month) with 34 points – 14 coming in the fourth quarter when the Thunder needed his offense to hold off a Minnesota rally. He was 13-for-24 from the field and 6-for-9 on 3-pointers, including a key 3 with 3:34 left in the fourth quarter that pushed OKC’s lead to 116-109 and another with 1:21 to play that gave the Thunder a 123-116 lead. He also had five assists, three rebounds and three steals.

Find out more about Thunder-Timberwolves winners and losers with Jeff Zillgitt’s breakdown of Game 4.

Anthony Edwards pushes back against struggle narrative

After going just 1-of-7 Monday night, Edwards is 5-of-24 (20.8%) across the three Timberwolves series losses.

It’s difficult to see the Timberwolves becoming the 14th team in NBA playoff history to overcome a 3-1 deficit without Edwards drastically improving his 3-point efficiency.

Minnesota must also fix its turnovers issue, after committing 23 Monday night, five by Edwards.

“I don’t look at it like I struggled,” Edwards told reporters after the game. “They had a good game plan, making us get off the ball — especially for me, man, they was super in gaps. I made the right play all night. So I don’t look at it like I struggled. I didn’t get enough shots to say I struggled. That might be how you guys look at it, but, yeah, I didn’t struggle at all, I made the right play.” More from Lorenzo Reyes on Anthony Edwards in Game 4.

NBA star Russell Westbrook expands role in giving back to Oklahoma City

Westbrook, despite leaving in 2019 to join the Houston Rockets in a trade, continues to shape the future of Oklahoma City. His partnership with Echo, a multi-strategy investment firm, helps to continue to grow the city’s sports and entertainment investments, particularly its future professional soccer team’s stadium. He has also taken on an expanded role as the creative director for the stadium district. — Elizabeth Flores

2025 All-NBA team 

Oklahoma City Thunder guard and league Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic were unanimous selections from a panel of 100 global reporters and broadcasters who cover the NBA and voted on the squad. View the complete list. 

NBA champions by year

Winners over the past 20 years. For a full list of champions, visit NBA.com.

2023-24 — Boston Celtics 
2022-23 — Denver Nuggets
2021-22 — Golden State Warriors
2020-21 — Milwaukee Bucks 
2019-20 — Los Angeles Lakers 
2018-19 — Toronto Raptors 
2017-18 — Golden State Warriors 
2016-17 — Golden State Warriors 
2015-16 — Cleveland Cavaliers 
2014-15 — Golden State Warriors 
2013-14 — San Antonio Spurs 
2012-13 — Miami Heat 
2011-12 — Miami Heat 
2010-11 — Dallas Mavericks 
2009-10 — Los Angeles Lakers 
2008-09 — Los Angeles Lakers 
2007-08 — Boston Celtics
2006-07 — San Antonio Spurs 
2005-06 — Miami Heat 
2004-05 — San Antonio Spurs 

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Baylor defensive lineman Alex Foster dies after shooting

Baylor defensive lineman Alex Foster has died after being shot multiple times in Greenville, Mississippi, the Washington County Coroner’s Office confirmed to the Clarion Ledger, part of the USA TODAY Network. He was 18.

‘We are heartbroken by the unexpected loss of Alex Foster, a beloved teammate, friend and a cherished part of the Baylor Family,’ vice president and director of athletics Mack B. Rhoades and head football coach Dave Aranda said in a joint statement on Wednesday. ‘Our thoughts and prayers are with Alex’s family and all those who loved him.’

Authorities responded to a call of shots fired in the early morning of May 28 at 12:11 a.m., the Greenville Police Department confirmed to the Clarion Ledger. Officers found a male victim who had been shot multiples times in a car at the scene. He was transferred to Delta Health Center, where he died from his injuries less than an hour later.

‘In this time of deep sorrow, we draw strength from our faith and the unwavering love of the Baylor community,’ the university added in a statement. ‘Our immediate focus is on supporting Alex’s family and his teammates through this devastating loss. Alex’s memory will forever be a part of Baylor University.’

The 6-foot-5, 292-pound defensive lineman is a native of Greenville, Mississippi and attended St. Joseph High School, where he was a three-star recruit and the No. 13 overall recruit in Mississippi, according to 247sports. Foster received offers from multiple colleges, including Georgia Tech, Arkansas, Mississippi State, Kentucky and Texas before ultimately signing with the Baylor Bears in July 2023. He redshirted his freshman year and was set to enter his sophomore year this season.

John Baker, head coach of the St. Joseph Catholic football, told the Clarion Ledger that Foster was back home in Greenville for summer break. Baker added that Foster was scheduled to return to Baylor in Waco, Texas this weekend.

‘He was just a great guy,’ Baker told the newspaper. ‘Real quiet, soft-spoken guy, you know. Had his head on right and was wanting to make it out. He was a good dude, man.’

In a follow-up posted on X, Aranda described Foster as a ‘beloved member of our Baylor Family.’ He added, ‘In his time at Baylor he made a long-lasting impact on all of us in the program. Our hearts are broken, and our prayers are with his family, friends and all those who loved him so deeply.’

The Big 12 also shared condolences, writing, ‘The Big 12 Conference extends its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Baylor football student-athlete Alex Foster. We are deeply saddened by his passing and join the entire Baylor community during this time of mourning.’

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
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SEC will likely delay 2026 football schedule decision. Here’s why.

MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla. – SEC officials arrived here this week with a goal of zeroing in on a conference schedule format for football for 2026 and beyond. And they probably will leave here Thursday without approving a format.

Two factors continue to hold up a vote on a schedule format.

One: There’s not consensus behind a model. Some stakeholders want to stay at eight games. Others want to move to nine. Generally, the SEC’s coaches sound mostly interested in staying at eight, while the conference’s athletic directors seem to leave the door cracked a little wider toward nine. But, even within those groups, there’s not consensus.

LSU’s Brian Kelly said he’d favor nine conference games. Arkansas’ Sam Pittman prefers eight.

Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte would like nine, but he acknowledged he doesn’t speak for the room.

Back and forth the Ping-Pong ball goes.

The other element delaying the vote? The SEC is not up against a hard deadline. The conference’s 2025 schedule is set, and it retains some runway to drag out the decision for 2026. Amid the pandemic in 2020, the SEC scrapped its schedule and devised a new one less than six weeks before kickoff.

Don’t expect the SEC to repeat that 2020 timeline, but also don’t expect that all these diverging opinions will coalesce behind a solution within the conference’s spring meetings that end here Thursday.

Also affecting the decision: The College Football Playoff format for 2026 and beyond remains undecided, and multiple SEC coaches and administrators expressed reluctance to decide the conference schedule model until more information comes to light about the future playoff format and selection process.

Even Kelly, a proponent of nine conference games, says he’d slow-play this conference schedule vote, if it were up to him, and not give up that chip before knowing more about the playoff’s future.

The SEC has considered increasing to nine conference games for many years but consistently stayed at eight. The Big Ten and Big 12 play nine conference games. The ACC plays eight.

Around the conference, there remains “a variety of perspectives,” Sankey said.

“Some would say, ‘Let’s just go play nine games. More SEC games is better,’’ Sankey said. ‘Some would say, ‘Wait a second, I’m looking at bowl qualification, and it’s going to be harder to get to that six-win threshold as I build my program.’

“And then you have some who look at last year and say, ‘Our interpretation is, under the current selection criteria, losing weighs more (on the committee’s decision) than winning a solid game. Losing a game is more problematic, and until we have a better understanding on the future criteria or entry points for the CFP, we’re not willing to go to nine games.’

“I think those are three philosophies, but I think there are some who are ready to go to (nine).”

A majority vote would be required to reach a decision.

Will the SEC break camp on Thursday without making a decision?

“That’s my expectation,” Sankey said on “The Paul Finebaum Show.”

And, so, the can is kicked, a little further down the road. In the past, this familiar road always ends at eight.

Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer.

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Sports

Jalen Ramsey’s cryptic posts spark speculation about trade, release

Jalen Ramsey and the Miami Dolphins mutually agreed to seek a trade for the veteran cornerback in the weeks ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Despite this, Ramsey remains on Miami’s roster. That may not be the case for long, if some of Ramsey’s recent social media posts are to be believed.

Ramsey took to X (formerly Twitter) Wednesday and made a few cryptic posts about his future. His final one ended with him saying ‘a new chapter awaits.’

The timing of Ramsey’s posts is noteworthy. They came just days ahead of June 1, which is a key date on the NFL’s yearly calendar.

Once June 1 passes, NFL teams are able to split a player’s dead-cap hit – which is guaranteed money allocated to a player no longer on a roster – over two seasons. Players traded or released before June 1 see all of their dead-cap hit accelerate onto the current year’s salary cap, unless an NFL team uses one of its two post-June 1 release designations on a player.

With that in mind, it would be more palatable for Miami to trade Ramsey after June 1, if possible. The Dolphins would actually save $5.9 million in cap space by trading Ramsey after that date, per Spotrac. If they move him before June 1, it would cost them more than $12.5 million in 2025 cap space.

The cost to release Ramsey would also decrease after June 1. The Dolphins would lose just $14.3 million in 2025 cap space by cutting him after that date instead of the roughly $32.8 million it would cost them to do so before then.

Given the timing of Ramsey’s social media posts – including one that just read ‘5…,’ five days ahead of June 1 – his status will be worth monitoring over the coming days.

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Politics

SEN. JEANNE SHAHEEN: If Trump wants a Ukraine deal, he should reread his own book

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Since his first day in office, President Donald Trump has mismanaged negotiations over an end to the war in Ukraine. More than 100 days later, innocent Ukrainians are still dying while the president gets played by Russian President Vladimir Putin – illustrated starkly by the barrages of drones and missiles continually aimed at Ukrainian cities as Trump posts online. 

It’s good to hear Trump finally express some frustration toward Putin and admit that his negotiating tactics aren’t working, that, as he says, Putin is ‘just tapping me along, and has to be dealt with differently.’ The reasons for this aren’t complicated. Instead of increasing his leverage over Russa, Trump offered concession after concession before talks even began. 

Getting U.S. policy right in Ukraine matters. If we allow Russia to end these negotiations as the victor, our NATO allies in Poland and the Baltics could be next. China’s President Xi Jinping will draw clear lessons from our capitulation as China plots a takeover of Taiwan. And would-be aggressors the world over will see that the international order that — while imperfect — has created stability and prosperity in much of the world has ended.  

Sadly, Trump is unlikely to listen to me, to our allies, or even to reasonable voices within his own White House and administration. My hope, though, is that he will be guided by the concepts from his own playbook — ‘The Art of the Deal’ — to secure a just peace and end this war. 

Fight back 

Donald Trump says never let yourself be pushed around — but that’s exactly what Putin is doing to him. When Trump proposed an unconditional ceasefire, Putin delayed and then shot a missile at a playground full of children. When Trump threatened additional sanctions if Putin didn’t agree to a ceasefire, Putin blew past Trump’s demands without consequence. 

Instead of continuing to get pushed around, the president should heed his own words: ‘You do your thing, you hold your ground, you stand up tall, and whatever happens, happens.’ Backing down now by threatening to walk away from talks is incentivizing Putin. This weakness invites Russian and Chinese aggression because an easy deal today undermines security for Europe, Taiwan and the United States tomorrow.  

Trump should increase sanctions — not just threaten them — and provide continued security assistance and intelligence sharing to Ukraine to sustain its war efforts against Russia. We should also reconsider Ukraine’s interest in NATO membership to apply all points of pressure on Putin.  

Use your leverage 

Russia’s economy is in real trouble with hundreds of thousands of Russians having been killed or wounded on the front lines. Putin needs this war to end. I couldn’t agree more with Trump when he wrote: ‘The worst thing you can possibly do in a deal is seem desperate to make it. That makes the other guy smell blood, and then you’re dead.’ 

Trump should not act as though Americans need this war to end more than the Russians do. While everyone wants to see an end to the bloodshed, America must approach these negotiations from a position of strength, so we can secure the best possible deal. Our economy and alliances dwarf those of Russia, which is poorer, more isolated and badly diminished by Putin’s war. 

Trump should also not give away our leverage for nothing and that includes the economic might and political unity of our European partners. Presenting a united front means implementing punishing collective sanctions that have damaged Russia’s economy and thrown sand in its war gears. Acting together with our allies undermines Putin’s agenda in Europe, inflicts the greatest pain on Russia’s economy and significantly limits Russia’s negotiating space. 

Deliver the goods 

Deeds matter more than words. As Trump wrote himself: ‘If you don’t deliver the goods, people will eventually catch on.’ He has deeply weakened decades of American leadership and credibility by abandoning our allies and the rules-based system that allowed for predictability, peace and prosperity for Americans and much of the world.  

The only way to fix America’s credibility is to be decisive and show American strength. An immediate ceasefire allows Trump to deliver on his commitment to the American people and test Russia’s willingness to seek peace. But he should make clear that a stiffer sanctions package, including secondary sanctions outlined in Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham and Democrat Sen. Richard Blumenthal’s legislation, will be imposed imminently. More than 80 senators of both parties have endorsed this bill. He must convince Putin — through bold and decisive action — that continued war is folly. Only then will there be a durable peace that restores deterrence in Europe and allows Ukraine to rebuild.  

Conclusion 

Ukraine’s signing of the mineral deal with the U.S. is a promising step, in contrast to Putin’s recent no-show in Ankara. Trump can re-start peace efforts on his own terms by imposing a stiffer sanctions package on Russia without delay. If he is indeed committed to securing Ukraine’s independent future, Trump must demonstrate that he is in the stronger position. 

But let me be clear: based on its history, the Kremlin is not interested in peace. Whether in Moldova, Georgia or Ukraine, Moscow has demonstrated strategic patience and abused others’ good faith to string out negotiations and then escalate when it sees fit. Simply put, when you give Putin an inch, he will take a mile. The only way to prevent this continued cycle is to secure a peace agreement that retains Ukraine’s national identity and that offers lasting security. Only then will President Trump prevent further aggression that threatens to draw America into future conflict.  

We are in a critical stage of negotiations and whether we get it right or wrong will reverberate for decades. 

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Thunder roll to Western Conference title: Wild numbers from series

The Oklahoma City Thunder will make their first NBA Finals appearance since 2012. They punched their ticket in dominant fashion against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Thunder had a 65-32 halftime lead over the Timberwolves on Wednesday, marking the franchise’s largest halftime lead in the playoffs, according to ESPN. They held the Timberwolves to just nine points in the first quarter and 23 points in the second quarter.

The Thunder led by as many as 39 points and went on to win 124-94 to clinch the Western Conference title, 4-1. They will face either the New York Knicks or Indiana Pacers. (The Pacers have a 3-1 lead over the Knicks.)

There were plenty of other wild stats to come out of the Western Conference finals. Here’s a look at some others:

Thunder defeat Timberwolves by 30 points

The Thunder defeated the Timberwolves by 30 points to clinch the series, which marked Oklahoma City’s fourth playoff victory of 30 or more points during this postseason. That’s a record.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dropped career playoff high in Game 4

Gilgeous-Alexander recorded 40 points in the Thunder’s 128-126 win in Game 4, which marked a career playoff high. He added 10 assists and nine rebounds to his stat line, finishing just one rebound shy of a triple-double.

Thunder lose by 42 points in Game 3

The Thunder were on the receiving end of one thumping. The Timberwolves defeated the Thunder by 42 points in Game 3, which marked Oklahoma City’s worst loss of the season and the Timberwolves’ largest points total of the season. According to OptaStats, the Timberwolves’ 42-point victory marked ‘the largest margin of victory in NBA history (regular season or playoffs) against a team that won 65+ games in the regular season that year.’The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

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