Sports Headlines
Ball, Bridges each score 23 to lead Hornets over Mavs 110-105 for 3rd straight win
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges each scored 23 points and the Charlotte Hornets held on to beat the Dallas Mavericks 110-105 on Monday to extend their winning streak to a season-high three games. Nick Smith Jr. added 19 points and Mark Williams overcame foul trouble to finish with 13 points and 13 rebounds for Charlotte (11-28). Kyrie Irving had 33 points and Daniel Gafford added a career-high 31 points and 15 rebounds for the Mavericks (23-20), who’ve lost four of their last five games. The Mavericks trailed entering the fourth quarter but Irving — who had 26 points after halftime — began the take over, knocking down two quick 3s while adding another three points on ... Read MoreMcCollum leads Pelicans to franchise-best 25-point comeback in a 123-119 OT win over the Jazz
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — CJ McCollum scored six of his 45 points in overtime and the New Orleans Pelicans orchestrated the largest comeback in franchise history, overcoming a 25-point deficit to beat Utah Jazz 123-119 on Monday night. Dejounte Murry had 26 points and 11 assists, and Trey Murphy III added 24 points for the Pelicans, who won for the fifth time in six games despite playing without forward Zion Williamson and center Yves Missi (both non-COVID illnesses). Keyonte George scored 23 points and Isaiah Collier had 20 points and 11 assists for the Jazz. Walker Kessler had 19 points and 13 rebounds and Kyle Filipowski added 17 rebounds and 11 points. A 24-3 run gave the Pelicans their first ... Read MoreCJ McCollum and Dejounte Murray fuel the resurgent Pelicans’ franchise-record comeback win
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — CJ McCollum highlighted a 45-point performance with 3-pointers and reverse layups in the clutch. Dejounte Murray's relentless pressure on both ends of the court left him one rebound short of a triple-double. And the New Orleans Pelicans pulled off the largest comeback in franchise history. As injury-ridden, star-crossed and generally miserable as much of their season has been, the Pelicans don't seem inclined to give up. “Huge credit to our guys in the locker room pulling together,” Pelicans coach Willie Green said after his team erased a 25-point Utah lead and beat the Jazz, 123-119, in overtime on Monday night. "This was a hard game to win.” Little has gone right for New Orleans this season. ... Read MoreTexans coach Ryans says Boyd’s push of assistant coach Ross was not done in ‘disrespectful manner’
HOUSTON (AP) — Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday that cornerback Kris Boyd didn’t push special teams coach Frank Ross in a “disrespectful manner” after he nearly shoved him to the ground following the opening kickoff of the team’s divisional playoff loss to the Chiefs this past weekend. Ryans said after the game that he hadn’t seen the push before addressing it Monday. “I don’t think he was pushing Frank in a disrespectful manner,” Ryans said. “I think it was more so he was fired up, overly fired up and thought he made a play to help us. So that narrative that he’s pushing a coach — that’s incorrect.” The Texans kicked off and Chiefs returner Nikko Remigio had ... Read MoreLions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson agrees to become Bears head coach, AP source says
Ben Johnson helped Jared Goff establish himself as one of the NFL's top quarterbacks. Now, he'll try to do something similar for Caleb Williams. The Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator has agreed to become the Chicago Bears head coach, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Monday. The person spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because the contract was being finalized. This will be the first head coaching job for the 38-year-old Johnson, who was widely considered the top candidate on the market after spending the past three seasons as the Lions offensive coordinator under Dan Campbell. He joined Detroit's staff in 2019 following a seven-year run as an assistant with the Miami Dolphins. ... Read MoreTexans believe they’re close to breaking through after another loss in divisional round of playoffs
HOUSTON (AP) — After falling in the divisional round of the playoffs for the second straight season, quarterback C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans believe they’re “really close” to taking the next step and making their first AFC championship game. The question is what they’ll need to do to get to that level. For Stroud it will be leaning on a mindset he’s had since his days at Ohio State. “From Day 1 of the offseason program there has to be a standard set, and that standard has to be … I’m not going to be the one to mess this thing up. Like I’m going to be the one to make this team win the game,” he said. “If ... Read MoreCowboys meet with Leslie Frazier, 3rd external interview in search to replace Mike McCarthy
FRISCO, Texas (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys completed an interview with Seattle assistant Leslie Frazier on Monday, the third external candidate to meet with the team in the search to replace former coach Mike McCarthy. Frazier was the second in-person interview, two days after the Cowboys met with former New York Jets coach Robert Saleh. Philadelphia offensive coordinator Kellen Moore met virtually with Dallas last week. Saleh and Frazier come from defensive backgrounds. Frazier was the head coach of the Minnesota for three-plus seasons ending in 2013. Since then, he's been the defensive coordinator in Tampa Bay and Buffalo. Frazier just finished his first season as the assistant head coach of the Seahawks. Saleh has had several head coaching interviews ... Read MoreOhio State wins 1st national title since 2014, outlasting Notre Dame 34-23 in CFP championship game
ATLANTA (AP) — The pass seemed to hang up there forever. Did it feel like seven weeks? Did it feel like 10 years? What a great debate for Ohio State fans to have forever. When that teardrop of a throw from Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard on third-and-11 finally landed, light as a feather, in the hands of receiver Jeremiah Smith late in the fourth quarter Monday, Ohio State had locked up what would be a 34-23 victory over Notre Dame for its sixth national title and first in a decade. It was that 56-yard gain that snuffed out a feverish Notre Dame comeback and made the Buckeyes the champion of the sport's first 12-team playoff, just as they were champions ... Read MoreRobertson has goal and assist, Oettinger makes 33 saves as Stars beat Red Wings 4-1
DALLAS (AP) — Jason Robertson had one of three first-period goals plus a third-period assist and Jake Oettinger made 33 saves as the Dallas Stars beat the Detroit Red Wings 4-1 on Sunday night. Wyatt Johnston and rookies Matej Blumel and Mavrik Bourque also scored for the Stars, who are 10-3-1 in their last 14 games. Simon Edvinsson pulled Detroit within 3-1 with 7:59 to play, but Johnston answered 2:08 later on Robertson’s assist. Robertson scored twice in 40 seconds in Dallas’ 6-3 loss at Colorado on Saturday. His goal Sunday came on the power play for the NHL’s worst home unit (8 of 72 for 11.1%). Alex Lyon stopped 21 shots for the Red Wings, who also lost Saturday ... Read MoreGilgeous-Alexander has 27 points, 10 assists to lead Thunder past Nets 127-101
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 27 points and 10 assists in three quarters, and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Brooklyn Nets 127-101 on Sunday night. Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA's leading scorer, sat out Friday’s loss at Dallas with a sprained right wrist. He looked fine against the Nets — he made 8 of 14 field goals and all 10 of his free throw attempts. He also had four steals. Isaiah Joe scored 24 points and made eight 3-pointers for the Thunder. The Thunder have the best record in the Western Conference, and the victory clinched Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault’s spot as an All-Star head coach. He will coach one of the four All-Star teams and an assistant ... Read MoreSpurs, Pacers make their way to Paris, for a week where all eyes will be on Victor Wembanyama
PARIS (AP) — Officially, Indiana will be the home team on the scoreboard when it plays San Antonio in Paris on Thursday. The Pacers know better. They will not be feeling right at home. “It’s going to be a big crowd against us, honestly,” Indiana guard Andrew Nembhard said. He’s not wrong, for one 7-foot-4 reason. The upcoming NBA Paris Games — Indiana vs. San Antonio on Thursday and Saturday, the Pacers being the designated home team for the first matchup and the Spurs getting that distinction for the second game — are essentially going to be a weeklong celebration of France’s own Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio’s reigning NBA rookie of the year who likely will be an All-Star this ... Read MoreBarkley runs for 78- and 62-yard TDs in the snow and Eagles top Rams 28-22 to head to NFC title game
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Saquon Barkley blew through a hole and ran untouched in the wintry mix, the Eagles' 2,000-yard rusher smacking his helmet with his hand on his final snowy steps of a 78-yard touchdown run. The Rams had braced for gusty winds and a heightened chance of snow on a trip to Philadelphia. They were blown over by Barkley. Barkley waved his arms in celebration as he scampered along the back of the end zone before he slid into the snow — Slide, Eagles, Slide! — in the late-game playoff celebration. Barkley dashed through the snow for touchdown runs of 78 and 62 yards and finished with 205 yards rushing, Jalen Hurts had a 44-yard scoring run and the ... Read MoreJosh Allen scores 2 TDs, Bills force 3 turnovers to beat Ravens 27-25 and reach AFC title game
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Josh Allen heard the “MVP! MVP!” chants directed at him from the stands, but Buffalo's quarterback deflected the credit following the Bills' hard-fought victory in the divisional playoff round. This season's Bills were thought to be thin on both sides of the ball. And it wasn't one player or one unit that led to Buffalo beating Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens 27-25 on Sunday night, ending its string of three straight losses at this stage of the postseason and moving on to play the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC title game next Sunday. It was everyone. “What a complete win,” Allen said. “All year, this team has heard we’ve got ... Read More2-time Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom feeling normal after missing most of 1st two Texas seasons hurt
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Two-time Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom already has thrown off the mound this offseason and said everything felt normal after missing most of his first two seasons with the Texas Rangers because of elbow surgery. The three starts deGrom got to make last September were significant for him. “That way I could treat it like a normal offseason and not feel like I was in rehab mode the whole time," he said Saturday during the team's annual Fan Fest. “So that’s what this offseason has been, you know, normal throwing. Been off the mound already and everything feels good.” The 36-year-old right-hander said he would usually wait until Feb. 1 before throwing, but he started ... Read MoreBrendan Wenzel hits late 3 as TCU wins 74-71 to end No. 25 Baylor’s 10-game home winning streak
WACO, Texas (AP) — Brendan Wenzel made a 3-pointer from the left corner with six seconds left and TCU, after overcoming a double-digit deficit in the second half, beat 25th-ranked Baylor 74-71 on Sunday to end the Bears' 10-game home winning streak. Ernest Udeh Jr. had a career-high 16 points and season-high 15 rebounds for the Horned Frogs (10-7, 3-3 Big 12), and his fourth blocked shot was on Jayden Nunn's attempted 3-pointer to end the game. Vasean Allette and Noah Reynolds both had 13 points. Norchad Omier had 20 points for Baylor (11-6, 3-3). VJ Edgecombe had 18 points and Jeremy Roach 11. Nunn's 3 with 25 seconds left tied the game at 71 right after Roach got hurt ... Read MoreTexas and coach Steve Sarkisian agree to terms on a new contract, reports say
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas and coach Steve Sarkisian have agreed on a new contract more than a week after the Longhorns were knocked out of the College Football Playoff, according to media reports. The Action Network first reported the new deal that it said came after Sarkisian declined interviews with two NFL teams for coaching spots. ESPN reported Saturday that the deal for the 50-year-old Sarkisian is for seven years. Under Sarkisian, the Longhorns reached the Southeastern Conference title game in their first season in the league. The Longhorns lost to Georgia 22-19 in overtime. Texas advanced to the College Football Playoff and beat Clemson before getting past Arizona State in double overtime in the Peach Bowl. The Longhorns' ... Read MoreAny College Football Playoff tweaks for 2025 won’t be hashed out until later this year
ATLANTA (AP) — Any adjustments to the College Football Playoff for next season, including a potential tweak in the way byes are awarded, would have to take place later this year, probably in the spring, the leaders of the playoff said Sunday. Conference commissioners and school presidents who operate the playoff met on the eve of the Ohio State-Notre Dame title game to discuss issues related to this season's kickoff of the 12-team playoff, and how to transition to the next TV contract, which begins in 2026. What didn't come up was the 2025 season, where any tweaks would take unanimous approval from the commissioners. Most likely in the “tweak” category would be changes in the way the teams are ... Read MoreLehkonen has 2 goals and 2 assists, Makar also scores 2 as Avalanche beat Stars 6-3
DENVER (AP) — Artturi Lehkonen had two goals and two assists, Cale Makar also scored twice and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Dallas Stars 6-3 on Saturday. Jonathan Drouin and Casey Mittelstadt each had a goal and two assists, and Josh Manson also had two assists for the Avalanche. Scott Wedgewood stopped 26 shots. Jason Robertson had two goals and an assist, Matt Duchene also scored, and Wyatt Johnson had three assists for the Stars. Casey DeSmith finished with 30 saves. Duchene opened the scoring at 3:24 of the first period on Dallas' first shot on goal. It was his 18th of the season. Mittelstadt tied it with 6:53 remaining in the opening period, and Makar put the Avalanche ahead ... Read MoreJalen Green leads Rockets with 26 points in 125-103 victory over Trail Blazers
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Jalen Green scored 26 points and the Houston Rockets beat Portland 125-103 on Saturday night, the Trail Blazers' fifth straight loss. Alperen Sengun had 23 points and 15 rebounds for the Rockets. Scoot Henderson had 21 points and 11 assists off the bench for the Blazers. Toumani Camara added 17 points. Fred VanVleet started for the Rockets and finished with nine points after missing Thursday's 132-127 loss to Sacramento for personal reasons. That defeat snapped Houston's five-game winning streak. Jerami Grant started for Portland after a facial contusion sidelined him for the last nine games. He finished with seven points. The Rockets led by as many as nine points early, but Anfernee Simons hit a 3-pointer ... Read MoreJake Burger will wear No. 21 with the Texas Rangers for his daughter born with Down syndrome
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Jake Burger will wear No. 21 with the Texas Rangers, a number that has special significance for the first baseman's family after his daughter was born with Down syndrome. The clinical name for Down syndrome is trisomy 21, a condition in which a person is born with an extra chromosome, causing mild to moderate cognitive disability, developmental delays and physical challenges. “This is the first time I can pick a number that's not just close to my heart, but close to a lot of people's hearts,” Burger said. “For me, it's trying to spread awareness and try and get the word out about Down syndrome and how people can get support. I'm just really proud of ... Read MorePrized Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki says he intends to sign with Los Angeles Dodgers
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Prized Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki says in an Instagram post he intends to sign with the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. A 23-year-old right-hander whose fastball tops 100 mph, Sasaki will join fellow Japanese stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in a move many baseball executives have long expected. The San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays were said to be the other finalists still in pursuit of Sasaki, who has until next Thursday to finalize a contract. “I have signed a minor contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers," Sasaki's post said, in Japanese. "It was a very difficult decision, but I will do my best I can feel this was a correct decision, once ... Read More2-time Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom feeling normal after missing most of 1st two Texas seasons hurt
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Two-time Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom already has thrown off the mound this offseason and said everything felt normal after missing most of his first two seasons with the Texas Rangers because of elbow surgery. The three starts deGrom got to make last September were significant for him. “That way I could treat it like a normal offseason and not feel like I was in rehab mode the whole time," he said Saturday during the team's annual Fan Fest. “So that’s what this offseason has been, you know, normal throwing. Been off the mound already and everything feels good.” The 36-year-old right-hander said he would usually wait until Feb. 1 before throwing, but he started ... Read MoreJayden Daniels and the Commanders stun the top-seeded Lions 45-31 to reach NFC title game
DETROIT (AP) — Jayden Daniels and the nothing-to-lose Washington Commanders sent the top-seeded Detroit Lions to a stunningly swift playoff exit. Daniels threw for two touchdowns and fellow rookie Mike Sainristil had two interceptions, dazzling performances that helped Washington beat Detroit 45-31 on Saturday night to reach the NFC championship game for the first time since winning the franchise's third Super Bowl 33 years ago. “It’s a surreal moment,” Daniels said. The sixth-seeded Commanders (14-5) were nearly double-digit underdogs against the Super Bowl-favorite Lions (15-3) and overcame doubts as they did all season with a new quarterback, coach and general manager. “I always believed that we could achieve more than people give us credit for,” Daniels said. Detroit, the NFC's ... Read More3 Stanley Cup championship rings stolen from home of Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin
kali9/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- Three Stanley Cup championship rings have been stolen from the home of Pittsburgh Penguins star forward Evgeni Malkin during yet another burglary in a series of thefts from high-profile professional athletes, authorities said.The missing rings were reported at 8:30 p.m. last Saturday, according to a statement from the Allegheny County Police Department on Wednesday.“At 8:30 pm on January 11, Sewickley Heights Police requested the assistance of the Allegheny County Police Department’s General Investigations Unit for a residential burglary on Blackburn Road,” authorities said. “It was later determined the home belonged to Pittsburgh Penguins player Evgeni Malkin, who returned home from a game to find his home was burglarized.”Detectives immediately began an investigation and discovered that Malkin’s ... Read More
Texas Rangers will stream broadcasts after seasons of difficult access to games
ARLINGTON (AP) —The Texas Rangers are making their regional game broadcasts available directly to consumers in a streaming package they say is the first step in providing multiple viewing options after several seasons of access issues. The MLB team announced Wednesday that it entered into a multiyear agreement with A Parent Media Co. Inc. (APMC) to stream Rangers regional games on the Victory+ service starting this year. That is the same streaming service that took over regional broadcasts for the NHL's Dallas Stars this season. While Stars games and extra content are streamed for free, access for Rangers games will cost $100 for the full season. “The Rangers’ partnership with Victory+ as our direct-to-consumer provider is a tremendous first step ... Read MoreSugar Bowl postponed to Jan. 2 after New Orleans deadly truck-ramming attack
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