OAKLAND, Calif. — The NBA fined Golden State coach Mark Jackson $25,000 on Thursday for making public comments in an attempt to influence the officiating in the Warriors' playoff series with Denver.

After Golden State's 107-100 loss in Game 5 at Denver on Tuesday night, Jackson said the Nuggets sent “hit men” and took “cheap shots” at point guard Stephen Curry. He repeatedly mentioned Kenneth Faried's foul in the first half, when the forward stuck out his right leg and moved his body while Curry ran through traffic.

MONTREAL — The Montreal Canadiens are down a game and a key player early in their series with the Ottawa Senators.Center Lars Eller suffered a concussion and facial fractures after taking a big hit from Ottawa defenseman Eric Gryba in the second period of the Senators' 4-2 victory in Game 1 of their playoff series Thursday night.Eller, who was taken off on a stretcher with a pool of blood on the ice, was spending the night in a hospital, the team said.The hit came as Eller took a pass up the middle from Montreal defenseman Raphael Diaz.

TALLADEGA, Ala. — Denny Hamlin received medical clearance Thursday to return this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway.Hamlin has missed four races after sustaining a compression fracture of a vertebra in his lower back in a last-lap accident at California on March 24.“Don’t call it a comeback — LL cool J,” Hamlin tweeted.Joe Gibbs Racing said exact plans will be determined at the track. Hamlin could start the No. 11 Toyota.

PENN TWP — Butler Country Club will play host to a Women's U.S. Open Qualifier at 8 a.m. May 13.Golfers will play 36 holes and one to three players will likely advance to the U.S. Open.No carts will be available for spectators, but members and guests are encouraged to come watch the event.Anyone interested in being a spotter or caddy (if needed) may call the BCC golf shop at 724-586-6030.