Legendary ESPN college basketball announcer Dick Vitale announced on Monday that he has been diagnosed with cancer for a fifth time.

Vitale made the announcement via a statement shared by ESPN.

“Today, my oncologist, Dr. Brown, informed me that my biopsy results have confirmed a diagnosis of melanoma in my lung and liver cavity,” Vitale said, per the statement. “I will be starting immunotherapy shortly and plan on winning this battle.”

Vitale, 86, initially announced last week that imaging had revealed abnormalities that prompted his doctors to conduct biopsies.

“Like countless others, each time I go for any kind of test I am a nervous wreck,” Vitale said vis a statement shared on April 8. “The latest example is my scans last week. The anxiousness you feel about the uncertainty is off the charts. You just never know what’s next, and it can be surprising or scary.”

Vitale’s previous battles with cancer

Vitale has previously been diagnosed with cancer four times. He’s recovered and been declared cancer-free each time. Vitale has openly shared his diagnoses and journeys battling cancer with the public.

Through his diagnoses, Vitale raised awareness for cancer research and said on Monday that those efforts have helped raise $105 million for pediatric cancer research. He hopes to raise another $12 million by May 1.

Vitale was initially diagnosed with melanoma in 2021 and revealed months later that he had also been diagnosed with lymphoma. After being declared cancer-free, Vitale revealed in 2023 that he’d been diagnosed with cancer in his vocal cords.

In 2024, he revealed that he’d also been diagnosed with lymph node cancer. He had surgery to remove cancerous lymph nodes days later.

Vitale’s return to the broadcast booth

In January 2025, Vitale announced that his doctors had again declared him as cancer-free and cleared him to return to calling games. He returned to the broadcast booth in a limited role during the college basketball season, calling several high-profile games for ESPN and Turner Sports.

He called a matchup between Indiana and Kentucky in December on ESPN alongside Charles Barkley, then called a First Four matchup between Texas and NC State last month, again with Barkley. He also worked various games throughout the season for ESPN.

In his announcement Monday, Vitale expressed confidence that he’ll beat cancer yet again.

“I’ve beaten melanoma. I’ve beaten lymphoma. I’ve beaten vocal cord cancer. I’ve beaten lymph node cancer. I’m four for four and I’m fully confident I’m going to make it five for five.”

With an excruciating Milwaukee Bucks season over, Giannis Antetokounmpo was asked Sunday night about the one things that remains on everybody’s mind.

Has he played his final game with the Bucks? Here’s his answer:

“That’s a very good question,” Antetokounmpo told reporters, per The Athletic. “I don't know. It’s not up to me anymore. It’s not up to me. We’ll see.”

Thus, the saga in Milwaukee continues.

Antetokounmpo offered that answer following a 126-106 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers that concluded Milwaukee’s season. The Bucks finished 32-50 and had long been forgotten in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

Like the 14 games prior, Antetokounmpo did not play in Sunday’s. Like in those games, Antetokounmpo insists that he was healthy and wanted to play, but the Bucks would not let him.

Giannis: Bucks’ stance on injury ‘disrespectful’

The Bucks, meanwhile, have insisted that he’s not been physically cleared to play after sustaining multiple injuries this season, including a hyperextension and bone bruise in his left knee. Antetokounmpo continued to dispute this and described Milwaukee’s stance as “disrespectful.”

That came after Antetokounmpo was asked how much control that he believes he has in his situation with the Bucks.

“At this point? Zero, “Antetokounmpo said. “I didn’t have control. I was being cleared to play. I don’t understand.

“From my understanding, coming back to play — which I don’t think I ever had any return-to-play protocol — was I had to play three-on-three to be able to be available to play. I did that multiple times.

“I have never in my life denied participation (in) practice, which whoever says that — I don’t know who said that, who came up with that — that’s disrespectful toward what I’ve done for this team and the way I carry myself my whole career.”

Patrick McDermott via Getty Images

Does Giannis want to be traded?

Long before injuries stunted his season and limited him to 36 games, Antetokounmpo was linked to trade rumors. There was offseason chatter in October that the Bucks and Knicks had engaged in trade conversations and that Antetokounmpo was open to such a deal.

Antetokounmpo downplayed those reports after a win over the Knicks on Oct. 28.

"I don't remember that," he said. "Right now, I'm here representing my team. And that's it. We beat the Knicks. That's all. Doesn't really matter ... I didn't read that article. I try to stay away from all the rumors and, what you call it, speculation, trades and all this. It doesn't concern me one bit. I try to involve myself [in my play] and I try to win games."

That was generally Antetokounmpo’s public stance for much of the season as the Bucks continued to spiral and it made less and less since for the former two-time MVP and Finals MVP to continue what’s left of his prime on a lottery-bound franchise.

But the trade deadline came and went without a deal. Tensions continued to mount with the losses, and at one point Antetokounmpo responded to boos from fans in Milwaukee with boos of his own in return.

Antetokounmpo’s frustration became more apparent as he continued to sit out games that he says he wanted to play. And per a report from ESPN’s Shams Charania last week, Antetokounmpo and his agent made clear to team management that they wanted out of Milwaukee as soon as the season started to spiral.

Will Giannis sign an extension if he’s offered one?

Antetokounmpo will be eligible for a contract extension in the offseason. Bucks owner Wes Edens confirmed the obvious to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne in March: “Either he will be extended or he'll be traded."

The alternative is to allow Antetokounmpo to play out the final guaranteed year of his contract next season and potentially walk away the following summer for nothing in return. That’s not a tenable scenario for the Bucks, and Antetokounmpo doesn’t possess a no-trade clause to shut down a deal he doesn’t like.

So something’s has to give this offseason. And Antetokounmpo isn’t ready to commit to signing a supermax extension if the Bucks were to offer one.

“Oh, that’s too far away. It’s something I gotta sit down, see, talk with my family, see what’s best for me and what’s best for my family, for my career. If that’s the best scenario, I will definitely want to do that.

“But before we even talk about an extension, somebody’s gotta offer me that. I haven’t been offered an extension, so that’s too far. You gotta take it a step at a time.”

The NBA season concluded on Sunday with all 30 teams in action and playoff seeding at stake.

In the East, the Toronto Raptors secured the No. 5 seed and the final unclaimed guaranteed spot in the playoff field, relegating the 76ers and Magic to the play-in.

In the West, the Denver Nuggets secured the No. 3 seed with a win over the Spurs, sending the Los Angeles Lakers to the No. 4 seed. The playoff field is set, and the first set of games are on the schedule.

NBA playoff schedule for first set of games:

Saturday, April 18

Raptors at Cavaliers, 1 p.m. Amazon Prime
Timberwolves at Nuggets, 3:30 p.m. Amazon Prime
Hawks at Lakers, 6 p.m., Amazon Prime
Rockets at Lakers, 8:30 p.m. ABC

Sunday, April 19

Play-in winner vs. Celtics, 1 p.m. ABC
Play-in winner vs. Thunder 3:30 p.m. ABC
Play-in winner vs. Pistons, 6:30 p.m. NBC
Play-in winner vs. Spurs, 9 p.m. NBC

Playoff bracket

Eastern Conference

1) Detroit Pistons vs. (8) play-in winner
(2) Boston Celtics vs. (7) play-In winner
(3) New York Knicks vs. (6) Toronto Raptors
(4) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (5) Atlanta Hawks

Western Conference

(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8) play-In winner
(2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (7) play-In winner
(3) Denver Nuggets vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves
(4) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (5) Houston Rockets

Play-in bracket

Eastern Conference

(7) Orlando Magic vs. (8) Philadelphia 76ers
(9) Charlotte Hornets vs. (10) Miami Heat

Western Conference

(7) Phoenix Suns vs. (8) Portland Trail Blazers
(9) LA Clippers vs. (10) Golden State Warriors

Despite not trying very hard on Sunday, the Denver Nuggets have secured the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference playoffs over the Los Angeles Lakers.

A Nuggets team resting four of its five starters on the final day of the NBA regular season beat a shorthanded San Antonio Spurs roster playing without Victor Wembanyama on Sunday, 128-118.

The win locked up the No. 3 seed in the West for the Spurs and ensured that the Los Angeles Lakers would end up the No. 4 seed.

The Lakers likewise secured a win with a 131-107 defeat of the Utah Jazz and had a shot at moving back into the 3 slot on Sunday. But Denver’s win ensured that they would not.

Can shorthanded Lakers compete against Rockets?

With the No. 4 seed, the Lakers will take on the 5th-seeded Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs. The third-seeded Nuggets will take on the No. 6 seed Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Lakers will enter the playoffs at a significant disadvantage. Their top two leading scorers, Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves will both enter the playoffs injured.

Dončić has a Grade 2 hamstring strain and is reportedly seeing a specialist in Europe to help expedite his return to the court. He doesn’t have a timeline to return, but nothing so far has suggested that he’ll be ready for the start of the playoffs.

Austin Reaves, meanwhile, has a Grade 2 oblique strain that’s expected to sideline him for the entirety of the first round.

Do Nuggets want the 3 seed?

The Nuggets sat starters down the stretch, including all five in a win over Oklahoma City on Friday in which the Thunder likewise sat their starters. The decision sparked speculation that the Nuggets were actively trying to lose to get into the No. 4 seed and duck a Timberwolves team that knocked them out of the playoffs two seasons ago.

They then rested all of their starters but three-time MVP Nikola Jokić on Sunday. And Jokić may have only started to get to 65 games and ensure his eligibility for postseason awards and All-NBA honors. Jokić played just 18 minutes and sat the entire second half.

But against a Spurs team that was locked into the No. 2 seed and playing without Victor Wembanyama, the lineup was good enough to secure the win. The win for the Nuggets sets up a potential second-round showdown featuring Wembanyama vs. Jokić. But both teams must get past the opening round first.

Western Conference playoff matchups

(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8) play-In winner
(2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (7) play-In winner
(3) Denver Nuggets vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves
(4) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (5) Houston Rockets

Western Conference play-in matchups

(7) Phoenix Suns vs. (8) Portland Trail Blazers
(9) LA Clippers vs. (10) Golden State Warriors

After 36 years at ESPN, announcer Mark Jones took the mic on Sunday for his final broadcast with the network, calling a season-finale matchup between the Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic.

Before tipoff, Jones was the subject of multiple tributes.

Jones joined the “Inside the NBA” pregame show, where he received a standing ovation from hosts Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal.

“I have a very full and a very heavy heart today as I say goodbye to the only place that I’ve really worked in network television,” Jones said in response. “I’m just thankful for all the friends that I’ve made along the journey.

“They talk about it being not about the destination but the journey. And my journey’s been outstanding.”

When the broadcast shifted to TD Garden for game coverage, Jones’ announcing partner, Doris Burke, paid tribute.

“After spending more than half your life calling games for this network, tonight is it,” Burke said. “I just want you to know, everybody involved, in the truck, here courtside, we are honored to be here with you.”

Jones, choked up, responded:

“I love you Doris,” he said. “We’re gonna have some fun and document the game and do it the way it’s gotta be done. Brought some seasoning with me tonight, folks.”

Jones’ decision to leave ESPN

Jones, 64, has worked at ESPN since 1990, calling NBA and college football games. He announced on Instagram Friday that Sunday’s game would be his last with the Network.

“It’s been a memorable journey these decades with the ABC/ESPN family, but I have decided that it’s time to move on,” Jones wrote. … “As I move on to my next chapter, I believe my best work is yet to come. I’ll be out there cookin’ hotter than fish grease!”

Jones did not elaborate in his announcement why he’s leaving ESPN but he told Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald that the choice was his.

Jones also declined elaborate on his “next chapter” in his statement. He’s worked for years as the local play-by-play voice of the Sacramento Kings on NBC Sports California and confirmed to the Sacramento Bee on Friday that he’ll continue in that role.

“My plan is to be here for a long, long time,” Jones told the Bee. “I love it here, and I’ve been warmly received by the Kings.”

ESPN released a statement thanking Jones for his contributions to the network following his announcement.

“Mark has made an enduring impact at ESPN since 1990, serving as a signature voice primarily within our NBA and college football coverage and across nearly all of our platforms,” ESPN said. “We’re grateful for Mark’s countless contributions and we wish him continued success.”

Three-time Milwaukee Brewers All-Star Christian Yelich left Sunday’s game against the Washington Nationals with hamstring tightness.

It’s not clear when Yelich sustained the injury. Yelich went 0 for 2 in his first two at-bats, then was replaced in the lineup by Gary Sanchez in the fifth inning. The Brewers announced shortly after that he was experiencing hamstring tightness.

The severity of the injury and a timeline for his return were not initially clear. The injury is a blow to a Brewers team that entered Sunday’s game at 8-6 but in the midst of a four-game losing streak.

Yelich, 34, is playing his 14th MLB season and his ninth with the Brewers. The 2018 NL MVP, Yelich is athree-time All-Star, three-time Silver Slugger winner and one-time Gold Glove winner.

Yelich made his most recent All-Star team in 2024. He didn’t make the All-Star team in 2025, but finished the season with 29 home runs, his highest tally since he hit 44 in 2019.

Yelich is off to a stong start this season. He entered Sunday slashing .327/.389/.469 with 1 home run, 10 RBI and 3 stolen bases in 14 games while hitting third in Milwaukee’s batting order.

The Brewers entered Sunday in third place and a game behind 9-5 Pittsburgh Pirates in the NL Central. They’re seeking their fourth consecutive NL Central championship.