peel back effect

AP Sports Digest

Posted 1/24/26

Here are the AP’s top sports stories that have moved or are planned to move today. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit AP Newsroom’s Coverage Plan. …

delmar logo

You must be a member to read this story.

Join our family of readers for as little as $14.99 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.


Already a member? Log in to continue.   Otherwise, follow the link below to join.

Please log in to continue

Log in

AP Sports Digest

Posted

Here are the AP’s top sports stories that have moved or are planned to move today. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit AP Newsroom’s Coverage Plan. Sports content can be found at http://newsroom.ap.org/page/APSports.

For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, including agate, contact AP Customer Support at apcustomersupport@ap.org or 877-836-9477.

The New York sports desk can be reached at 800-845-8450, ext. 1630. Sports photos, ext. 1918; graphics, ext. 7636.

——————————

UPCOMING

——————————

BBO--TWINS-OFFSEASON

DESCRIPTION: Minnesota Twins owner Tom Pohlad has been calling fans who’ve recently canceled season tickets in the first step toward restoring public faith in a floundering club, while also meeting with the team’s top players during an offseason reset. By Dave Campbell. 500 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 01/24/2026 2:00 p.m. EST, Photo, Text

___

SOC—GERMAN ROUNDUP

DESCRIPTION: Runaway Bundesliga leader Bayern Munich hosts Augsburg for a Bavarian derby before second-place Borussia Dortmund visits Union Berlin. Also, high-flying Hoffenheim visits struggling Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayer Leverkusen entertains Werder Bremen, and Wolfsburg visits Mainz.

UPCOMING: By 01/24/2026 2:30 p.m. EST, Photo, Text

___

SOC--SPANISH ROUNDUP

DESCRIPTION: Second-placed Real Madrid visits third-placed Villarreal with the chance of retaking the lead of La Liga from Barcelona with a win.

UPCOMING: By 01/24/2026 5:00 p.m. EST, Photo, Text

___

SOC--ITALIAN ROUNDUP

DESCRIPTION: ROME — Como plays Torino, Fiorentina meets Cagliari and Lecce hosts Lazio in Serie A. UPCOMING.

UPCOMING: By 01/24/2026 5:00 p.m. EST, Photo, Text

___

SOC--PARAGUAY-US WOMEN

DESCRIPTION: CARSON, Calif. The U.S. women’s national team plays Paraguay in the first of two matches to conclude January training camp. By Anne M. Peterson. Upcoming: 400 words. Game starts at 5:30 p.m. ET.

UPCOMING: By 01/24/2026 5:30 p.m. EST, Text

___

RAC--PEGASUS WORLD CUP

DESCRIPTION: The 10th running of the $3 million Pegasus World Cup, one of the richest races in the U.S., is Saturday. White Abarrio will try to become the race’s first two-time champion. By Tim Reynolds. 500 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 01/24/2026 6:30 p.m. EST, Text, Photo

___

SOC--FRENCH ROUNDUP

DESCRIPTION: Lens needs to win at Marseille to reclaim top spot in Ligue 1 from Paris Saint-Germain. In other matches, erratic Monaco goes to Le Havre and Rennes hosts Lorient. By Jerome Pugmire. UPCOMING, 400 words.

UPCOMING: By 01/24/2026 6:30 p.m. EST, Text

___

GLF--AMERICAN EXPRESS

DESCRIPTION: LA QUINTA, Calif. -- Scottie Scheffler and 18-year-old Blades Brown were tied for the lead and headed to the tougher Stadium Course at PGA West for the third round of The American Express. By Golf Writer Doug Ferguson. Upcoming: 700 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 01/24/2026 7:30 p.m. EST, Photo, Text

___

MMA--UFC 324

DESCRIPTION: Fourth-ranked challenger Justin Gaethje faces fifth-ranked challenger Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight championship at UFC 324. By Mark Anderson. 700 words, photos. Breakout on merit.

UPCOMING: By 01/24/2026 9:00 p.m. EST, Photo, Text

___

——————————

NEW AND DEVELOPING

——————————

___

FBN—STEELERS-MCCARTHY

The Pittsburgh Steelers intend to hire Mike McCarthy as their head coach. That’s according to a person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Saturday because a deal had not been finalized. SENT. 650 words.

___

OLY--MILAN CORTINA-OPENING CEREMONY REHEARSAL

In the rehearsal tent: Here’s what makes the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics opening ceremony special

SUMMARY: Classically trained dancers from La Scala’s academy are rehearsing for the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony. The event is set for Feb. 6 at Milan’s San Siro stadium. Around 1,200 volunteers have been practicing since November. Rehearsals will increase to nine hours a day over the next two weeks. Creative director Marco Balich emphasizes the theme of “Harmony,” promoting peace and dialogue. Performers include Mariah Carey and Andrea Bocelli. The ceremony will feature two Olympic cauldrons and a Parade of Athletes broadcast from multiple venues. Balich highlights Italian excellence and creativity, promising surprises for the audience.

WORDS: 800 - MOVED: 01/24/2026 1:28 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1acc32327bc435e01c5b6f178db3f260&mediaType=text

___

SOC--WREXHAM’S RISE

To the Premier League? Wrexham climbs into Championship playoff spot after dramatic win

SUMMARY: Wrexham’s bid for a fourth straight promotion and a place in the Premier League is gaining steam. A dramatic 3-2 win at Queens Park Rangers has lifted Wrexham, the Welsh club co-owned by Hollywood celebrities Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, into sixth place in the second-tier Championship on Saturday. Wrexham scored its final two goals in stoppage time. The top two secure automatic promotion and the teams who finish third to sixth will qualify for the end-of-season playoffs for the one extra promotion spot. It’s the first time this season that Wrexham has ended a round in the playoff places. Wrexham has played 29 of its 46 games in its first second-tier campaign since the 1980s after three straight promotions.

WORDS: 300 - MOVED: 01/24/2026 1:19 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f4df5722fb6aee1ed2802a8f5690e1ea&mediaType=text

___

BKN--GRIZZLIES-MORANT INJURY

Grizzlies’ Morant has UCL sprain and will be re-evaluated in about three weeks

SUMMARY: Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant is expected to miss at least the next three weeks due to a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow. The injury occurred Wednesday during the Grizzlies’ 124-122 loss to the Atlanta Hawks. The Grizzlies announced the severity of the injury Saturday and said the two-time All-Star would be re-evaluated in approximately three weeks. This represents the latest setback in a tumultuous season for Morant. He had missed six games with an injured right calf before returning Sunday for the Grizzlies’ 126-109 victory over the Orlando Magic in London.

WORDS: 141 - MOVED: 01/24/2026 12:32 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:03ef3945d7ba993dcd91601bc39e084e&mediaType=text

___

SOC--ENGLISH ROUNDUP

Man City wins after dropping Haaland and Tottenham salvages draw with late goal

SUMMARY: Manchester City has dropped Erling Haaland, given a debut to Marc Guehi and had another goal from fellow new signing Antoine Semenyo in a 2-0 win over Wolverhampton in the Premier League. After alarming losses to Manchester United and Bodø/Glimt over the past week, City manager Pep Guardiola made the bold call to leave out Haaland and Phil Foden. The shake up worked albeit against a Wolves team sitting on the bottom of the standings. Omar Marmoush and Semenyo scored. Cristian Romero equalized in the 90th minute to salvage a 2-2 draw for Tottenham at next-to-last Burnley but it was still a disappointing result for under-pressure Spurs manager Thomas Frank.

WORDS: 418 - MOVED: 01/24/2026 12:07 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:748757f9a54a032ee1b2aaa6933d39ae&mediaType=text

___

OLY--FIG-FOUR CONTINENTS

Efimova and Mitrofanov’s Four Continents win shows what US team could be missing at the Olympics

SUMMARY: U.S. pairs champions Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov have won the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Beijing. On Saturday, they rallied from third place to secure victory with 205.34 points, overtaking China’s Sui Wenjing and Han Cong. Efimova, born in Finland, can’t compete for the U.S. at the Milan Cortina Olympics due to citizenship rules. Despite her marriage to Mitrofanov and a valid green card, she couldn’t secure a passport in time. The U.S. will rely on other pairs for the Olympics. The Four Continents event concludes Sunday with the men’s free skate. Japan’s Kao Miura is leading after their short program.

WORDS: 497 - MOVED: 01/24/2026 12:01 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3145a772adcae7269ef4414a007b9d74&mediaType=text

___

TEN--AUSTRALIAN OPEN-DJOKOVIC 400

Djokovic secures 400th Grand Slam match win to extend record, ties Federer’s Australian Open mark

SUMMARY: Novak Djokovic continues to pile up tennis records. He tallied his record-extending 400th Grand Slam singles win by defeating Botic van de Zandschulp in the Australian Open’s third round on Saturday. This victory also marked his 102nd win at the Australian Open, equaling Roger Federer’s record for most match wins at the tournament. Djokovic, a 10-time Australian Open champion, is aiming for a 25th major title and is determined to become the most decorated player in history. He overcame challenges in the third set, including a tumble and facing set points. Djokovic apologized for one moment late in the second set. He swiped the ball angrily and it narrowly missed a ball girl crouching at the net post.

WORDS: 649 - MOVED: 01/24/2026 11:09 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2c79595f194adbf3201df02cf3a101c1&mediaType=text

___

SKI--WCUP-WOMEN’S GS

Mikaela Shiffrin returns to GS podium after 2 years. Sara Hector wins and Paula Moltzan 2nd

SUMMARY: Mikaela Shiffrin has earned a place on the podium of a World Cup giant slalom for the first time in two years. The American finished third in the last GS before the Milan Cortina Olympics. The race was won by defending Olympic champion Sara Hector of Sweden. Shiffrin trailed Hector by 0.23 seconds and the American shared the podium with second-placed teammate Paula Moltzan. Shiffrin holds the women’s record for most career World Cup GS wins with 22 but hadn’t had a top-three result in 11 races since coming runner-up at a race in Slovakia in January 2024.

WORDS: 592 - MOVED: 01/24/2026 11:00 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1a30db48a528215f9c0dfbcae7513617&mediaType=text

___

FBN--PACKERS-WALKER

Packers offensive tackle Rasheed Walker arrested on gun possession charge at LaGuardia Airport

SUMMARY: Green Bay Packers offensive tackle Rasheed Walker has been arrested after police say he presented a firearm for inspection without proper credentials at LaGuardia Airport. Port Authority police said Walker was arrested Friday morning after they responded to a request for a firearms check at LaGuardia’s Terminal C. Arthur Aidala is the lawyer representing Walker. Aidala said his client voluntarily disclosed an unloaded, secured firearm upon his arrival at the airport. Aidala said Walker was arrested because his license wasn’t valid in New York. Aidala said that “we are confident the matter will eventually be dismissed.”

WORDS: 226 - MOVED: 01/24/2026 10:05 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:fc4698ed3038e69f18757333c11b89bd&mediaType=text

___

TEN--AUSTRALIAN OPEN

Sinner overcomes cramps, heat to continue Australian Open title defense. Djokovic gets 400th win

SUMMARY: Jannik Sinner made a dramatic comeback at the Australian Open, overcoming cramps and getting benefit from the tournament’s extreme heat policy to beat Eliot Spizzirri. Play was paused for eight minutes to close the roof Saturday, allowing Sinner to recover and win the match. Novak Djokovic achieved his 400th major match win, beating Botic van de Zandschulp in a night match. Naomi Osaka withdrew due to an abdominal injury, advancing Maddison Inglis. Stan Wawrinka lost to Taylor Fritz and bid farewell with a beer. The 40-year-old Swiss is retiring later this year. Play was suspended on outside courts for five hours due to high temperatures.

WORDS: 960 - MOVED: 01/24/2026 9:00 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:62c2defc039d7ca5682fe1327ac7ec9e&mediaType=text

___

GLF--DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC

Reed leads by 4 shots at Dubai Desert Classic as McIlroy’s title hopes fade and Hovland surges

SUMMARY: Patrick Reed will take a four-stroke lead into the final round of the Dubai Desert Classic after shooting 5-under 67 as Rory McIlroy’s chances of a record-extending fifth title virtually disappeared. Reed is a former Masters champion who now plays on the LIV Golf circuit. The American tapped in at No. 18 for his seventh birdie of the third round to move onto 14-under 202. Leading the chase was another LIV player in David Puig who shot 66 to jump to second place. Viktor Hovland (65) and Andy Sullivan (71) were another stroke behind. McIlroy bogeyed the last for a 71 and was 11 shots off the lead.

WORDS: 490 - MOVED: 01/24/2026 8:58 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:af5473dafb96bc3e15aa07c26eb3d933&mediaType=text

___

SOC--MAN CITY-HAALAND

Erling Haaland left out by Man City amid scoring drought

SUMMARY: Erling Haaland has been left out of Manchester City’s starting lineup for the Premier League game against Wolverhampton amid a slump in form. The Norway striker has only scored one goal in his last eight games in all competitions and that was a penalty against Brighton in the league. City manager Pep Guardiola made the big call on Haaland after two straight losses, to Manchester United in the league and Bodø/Glimt in the Champions League. City has a crucial Champions League game at home to Galatasaray on Wednesday in its bid to secure direct qualification to the round of 16.

WORDS: 120 - MOVED: 01/24/2026 8:54 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b0dc936d2498cba3694491e70bf362c0&mediaType=text

___

SKI--WCUP-MEN’S DOWNHILL

Italian skier Franzoni adds Kitzbühel downhill win to his breakout season with Olympics looming

SUMMARY: Italian skier Giovanni Franzoni put another exclamation point to his breakout World Cup season by winning on the classic Streif course. The win came two weeks before the downhill race at his home Olympics and eight days after his maiden career win in a super-G in Wengen. Franzoni edged out world champion and overall World Cup leader Marco Odermatt by 0.07 seconds. The Swiss star’s wait for his first win in the marquee race was extended for at least another year. Third-place Maxence Muzaton was a late starter with bib 29 and came up 0.39 short.

WORDS: 759 - MOVED: 01/24/2026 8:15 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6f137d4f69d6c4b61ed53264c551b7ca&mediaType=text

___

TEN--AUSTRALIAN OPEN-WAWRINKA-CHEERS

Cheers! Stan Wawrinka bids farewell at Australian Open with beers and gratitude

SUMMARY: Stan Wawrinka bids farewell to the Australian Open after losing to Taylor Fritz. On Saturday, the 40-year-old shared beers with the tournament director and saluted the crowd. Wawrinka, who won his first Grand Slam title in Australia in 2014, became the first man over 40 to reach the third round of a Grand Slam since 1978. He says 2026 will be his last year on the professional circuit but has emphasized it’s just a farewell tour. Fritz advanced to face Lorenzo Musetti in the Round of 16. Fritz praised Wawrinka’s passion and drive.

WORDS: 604 - MOVED: 01/24/2026 8:14 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:475b0cbf0056159ff9e3e9f2e083d80e&mediaType=text

___

TEN--AUSTRALIAN OPEN-OSAKA OUT

Naomi Osaka withdraws from Australian Open before third round because of injury

SUMMARY: Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the Australian Open before her third-round match against Maddison Inglis. She announced the decision on social media, citing a need to address a physical issue after her last match. Osaka expressed disappointment, saying the run meant a lot to her, but she couldn’t risk further injury. Her entrance earlier in the tournament went viral due to her unique outfit. In the second round, she defeated Sorana Cirstea in a tense match that ended with a frosty exchange. In comments later published by the tournament, Osaka says she had a left abdominal issue.

WORDS: 628 - MOVED: 01/24/2026 5:42 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1e46170d2fb91ac2ae4cfefb608d898e&mediaType=text

___

OLY--HKO-LOST GENERATION

A star-studded generation of hockey’s best players is finally going to the Olympics

SUMMARY: An entire generation of the best hockey players in the world will finally get a chance to play in the Olympics. The likes of Americans Auston Matthews and Jack Eichel and Canadians Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon grew up watching and expecting to go. Chances in 2018 and 2022 were missed for various reasons, making the upcoming tournament in Milan a moment many have been waiting their entire careers for. They need to look no further back than 2010 and 2014 to imagine the kind of memories they can make for the sport.

WORDS: 810 - MOVED: 01/24/2026 5:10 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:43d5825c27e113d7628cf53f5158438d&mediaType=text

___

BKN--NUGGETS-BUCKS-INJURIES

Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo expects to miss extended time after injuring his calf again

SUMMARY: Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo thinks he will be out for an extended period after hurting his right calf again after a similar injury already caused him to miss eight games earlier this season. Antetokounmpo had his right calf wrapped in the first half of a 102-100 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday night. Antetokounmpo didn’t appear comfortable the rest of the night and left for good with 34 seconds remaining. The two-time MVP said he expected to undergo an MRI on Saturday. Denver’s Aaron Gordon scored 13 points in the first half before sitting out the second half with a right hamstring strain.

WORDS: 681 - MOVED: 01/24/2026 1:46 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6371a0ae200d8596b2c1cedfee445f0e&mediaType=text

___

MOVING TOMORROW ___

—FBN--Rams-Seahawks

—FBN--Patriots-Broncos

—OLY--FIG-Skating’s Safe Space

—TEN--Australian Open

—SKI--WCup-Men’s Slalom

—SKI--WCup-Women’s Slalom

Members and subscribers make this story possible.
You can help support non-partisan, community journalism.

x
X