Sports Briefs 5/19/21

NBA

Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies season comes down to tonight, when they host the San Antonio Spurs in the first Western Conference play-in game. The winner moves on for the chance to become the eight-seed in the playoffs, but will have to visit the winner of the Golden State Warriors-Los Angeles Lakers contest.

NHL

The Nashville Predators play game two of their first round Stanley Cup playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes tonight in Raleigh. They lost the opener on Monday 5-2 thanks to Carolina’s three-goal third period. Following tonight’s action, the team is back in Nashville for the next two games, where they’re expected to fill Bridgestone Arena with over 12,000 fans each time.

Golf

Tee times and pairings for the opening round of the PGA Championship were announced yesterday. Louisville area native Justin Thomas will play the first two days with Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka and tee off at 7:33 am Central time Thursday. Collin Morikawa is the defending champion for this year’s first major, being played at Kiwah Island, SC.