5 things you need to know Friday

Warriors look to make history as they eye NBA title

If the Golden State Warriors beat the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday (9 p.m. ET, ABC), they would not only clinch the NBA championship but also achieve a perfect 16-0 playoffs record, the first in history.  The attempt follows Game 3,  in which the Warriors set an NBA Finals record for three-pointers scored in a half.  Kevin Durant, who scored seven points in the 11-0 run in the fourth quarter, showcased why the rest of the NBA is terrified by this latest super team. If the Cavs are to extend the series, LeBron James and Kyrie Irving will need more offensive production from their teammates.  

Prime Minister May's U.K. election gamble backfires

British Prime Minister Theresa May's gamble to strengthen her political power failed Friday as her Conservative Party lost its majority in Parliament, despite remaining the largest party following Thursday's election. The results mean a hung Parliament, in which no party has enough lawmakers to establish outright control — 326 seats are needed for a majority. The shock outcome — a far cry from the landslide victory predicted in April — comes days before Britain faces difficult negotiations over terms for leaving the European Union. May, who will seek permission from Queen Elizabeth II to form a government Friday, has no intention of resigning following calls for her to quit, according to British media.

Roman Polanski's sexual assault victim appears in court on his behalf

The victim of Roman Polanski’s sexual assault 40 years ago is going to appeal directly to a judge Friday to end the long-running case against the fugitive director. Samantha Geimer, 13 at the time of the crime, has long supported Polanski’s efforts to end the legal saga that limits his travel. The Oscar-winner has been a fugitive since he fled to France in 1978 on the eve of sentencing for the crime of having unlawful sex with a minor. Geimer, who sued and reached a settlement with Polanski, has previously said she forgives him for the assault that happened at Jack Nicholson’s home during a March 1977 photo shoot. 

Japan's parliament passed a law Friday that would allow Emperor Akihito to become the first monarch to abdicate in 200 years. Humble and soft-spoken, Akihito, 82, said in a rare television address last year that his time to step down was approaching due to his declining health and old age. Under the new law, an abdication must take place within three years but would also raise delicate questions — including the ban on female succession and the imperial family’s place in society. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s ultra-conservative government supports male-only succession, which will make the Crown Prince Naruhito, 57, next in line to ascend the throne. 

Maher returns after furor over on-air use of racial slur

This probably won’t be a laugh fest. Bill Maher is back on Friday (10 ET/PT, HBO) with the first episode of Real Time since he used a racial slur during an interview last week – and one of his guests is Ice Cube. No doubt he will have to look the rapper in the face and explain why he made a joke – including the use of the N-word – about house and field slaves. Earlier in the week, Sen. Al Franken canceled his scheduled appearance on the show. "He knows that's a bad word to a lot of people," Ice Cube told Rolling Stone in an interview published Thursday. "Now, the question is: Why did he think he could be that comfortable with saying that?”

Bill Maher apology for his use of the "N-word"

Comedian Bill Maher is expressing regret over his use of an ethnic slur of Friday’s edition of Real Time.

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Contributing: The Associated Press