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

——————————

OLY--HKO-SLOVAKIA-US

The unbeaten U.S. faces upstart Slovakia for the chance to play for the gold medal in men’s hockey at the Milan Cortina Olympics. Game starts at 3:10 p.m. EST. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. Text, photos.

___

BBO--FIRST GAMES

DESCRIPTION: MESA, Ariz. — Baseball’s spring training exhibition slate begins with seven games Friday, including Munetaka Murakami’s expected debut when the Chicago White Sox visit the Chicago Cubs for their Cactus League opener. The Japanese infielder signed a $34 million, two-year contract with the White Sox in December. By Baseball Writer Jay Cohen. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 02/20/2026 8:00 p.m. EST, Photo, Text

___

GLF--GENESIS INVITATIONAL

DESCRIPTION: LOS ANGELES -- Rory McIlroy was contending and Scottie Scheffler was trying to recover from a rough start going into the second round of the Genesis Invitational at Riviera, the first signature event of the year that has a 36-hole cut. By Golf Writer Doug Ferguson. Upcoming: 700 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 02/20/2026 8:30 p.m. EST, Photo, Text

___

BKN--CLIPPERS-LAKERS

DESCRIPTION: The LA Clippers visit the Los Angeles Lakers. By Greg Beacham. 150 words, more on merit.

UPCOMING: By 02/20/2026 10:00 p.m. EST, Photo, Text

___

——————————

NEW AND DEVELOPING

——————————

CAR--NASCAR-FRONT ROW FUTURE

DESCRIPTION: CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Front Row Motorsports will try to develop itself into one of NASCAR’s top teams following its victory in last year’s federal antitrust lawsuit against the series. SENT: 950 words.

___

BBO--BREWERS-MURPHY EXTENSION

2-time NL manager of the year Pat Murphy agrees to new deal with Brewers

SUMMARY: Milwaukee’s Pat Murphy has agreed to a new contract after leading the Brewers to division titles and getting selected as NL manager of the year each of his first two seasons. Murphy’s contract had been set to expire at the end of the season if he hadn’t agreed to a new one or an extension. He had taken over as Milwaukee’s manager after predecessor Craig Counsell let his contract run out after the 2023 season and then signed a lucrative deal with the rival Chicago Cubs. Murphy owns a 190-134 record as Milwaukee’s manager. The Brewers didn’t release terms when announcing the deal Friday.

WORDS: 769 - MOVED: 02/20/2026 1:28 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2d3d958a619182717a0ef9ca43b6d2ae&mediaType=text

___

OLY--HKO-FINLAND-CANADA

Nathan MacKinnon scores late as Canada beats Finland to reach the Olympic gold-medal game

SUMMARY: Nathan MacKinnon scored the go-ahead goal with 35.2 seconds left to help Canada survive another scare at the Olympics, rallying to beat Finland 3-2 in the semifinals and advance to the men’s gold-medal game. Shea Theodore tied it just past the midway point of the third period after Sam Reinhart started the comeback from down two goals. Canada will face either the U.S. or Slovakia in the final on Sunday. Sidney Crosby did not play against Finland, but Canada has not ruled its captain out of returning.

WORDS: 440 - MOVED: 02/20/2026 1:19 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:493a2727c331f2c75b0068beb1746c47&mediaType=text

___

OLY--CUR-ROUNDUP

Top-ranked Canada heartbroken after upset loss to Sweden in women’s curling at the Olympics

SUMMARY: Canada’s controversial men’s team will have the curling power’s last chance at Olympic gold at the Milan Cortina Games. With Canada already shut out of the mixed team event medals, the country’s top-ranked women were upset by Anna Hasselborg’s Sweden in the semifinals. Sweden will face Switzerland for gold on Sunday. Silvana Tirinzoni’s Switzerland beat the United States and will be aiming for their first women’s gold at the Olympics. Canada will play the U.S. for bronze on Saturday. In the men’s competition, Canada faces Britain for gold on Saturday while Norway was playing Switzerland for bronze later Friday.

WORDS: 407 - MOVED: 02/20/2026 12:37 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:181f0e245d12d96575b958d956580824&mediaType=text

___

OLY--BIA-MEN’S MASS START

Norway wins its 17th gold medal, breaking record for most golds won in a single Winter Olympics

SUMMARY: Johannes Dale-Skjevdal of Norway was the only biathlete to hit all 20 of his targets in the 15-kilometer mass start race Friday and skied his way to gold Norway’s 17th gold medal of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics — breaking the record for the most gold medals won by a nation at a single Winter Olympics. Norway had set the record at the 2022 Beijing Olympics with 16 gold medals. Dale-Skjevdal was followed by teammate Sturla Holm Laegreid, who won silver. Quentin Fillon Maillet of France, who missed four on the day, passed German biathlete Philipp Horn on the trails to the finish for a bronze, 25.6 seconds behind Dale-Skjevdal.

WORDS: 653 - MOVED: 02/20/2026 12:33 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8d64eaeceeaf2d94e36df59d8d204639&mediaType=text

___

SOC--MLS PREVIEW

Major League Soccer opens the season with eyes on the World Cup and a schedule shift in 2027

SUMMARY: Major League Soccer opens its 31st season this weekend, kicking off one of the most consequential stretches in the league’s history. There’s the impact of the World Cup across the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer, then in 2027 MLS will switch to a summer to spring schedule to align with its international counterparts. The league has dubbed this phase MLS 3.0. The MLS season kicks off with LAFC and Miami playing at the Los Angeles Coliseum before an anticipated crowd of some 70,000 fans.

WORDS: 939 - MOVED: 02/20/2026 12:32 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:529fdca8a7d9b49a400e917a161b31fe&mediaType=text

___

FBN--RAMS-SCHEELHAASE

Rams promote Nate Scheelhaase to offensive coordinator, AP source says

SUMMARY: The Los Angeles Rams are promoting assistant Nate Scheelhaase to offensive coordinator. That’s according to a person with knowledge of the decision who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Friday because the Rams haven’t made a full announcement of coach Sean McVay’s new staff for the upcoming season. Scheelhaase replaces Mike LaFleur, who became the Arizona Cardinals’ head coach this month. The 35-year-old Scheelhaase became a rising star in NFL coaching circles last season. He interviewed for at least five head coaching vacancies in the past two months.

WORDS: 393 - MOVED: 02/20/2026 12:31 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3d8790857a7bb9da3897a68d1be76383&mediaType=text

___

OLY--FRE-BORN IN AMERICA

At halfpipe, neither US-born Olympic medal favorite competes for U.S. Eileen Gu takes the heat

SUMMARY: The two best bets to win the gold medal in women’s halfpipe skiing at the Winter Olympics were born in the United States. Zoe Atkin competes for Britain and hardly anyone raises a fuss about it. Eileen Gu competes for China and never hears the end of it. Athletes in freeskiing and snowboarding — two lifestyle sports that champion individuality — spend most of their time traveling the globe caring very little about countries or anthems.

WORDS: 1011 - MOVED: 02/20/2026 12:25 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:bf58f6a9dde2b183118df77c9d7bed58&mediaType=text

___

SOC--MAN UNITED-RATCLIFFE

Man United’s Jim Ratcliffe reminded of his responsibilities but no FA charge for ‘colonized’ claim

SUMMARY: Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe has been reminded of his “responsibilities as a participant in English football” after he triggered a storm of criticism for claiming Britain had been “colonized” by immigrants. But England’s Football Association will not be charging Ratcliffe over his comments, which were widely condemned by political figures and the club’s supporters. The governing body issued Ratcliffe with a reminder of his responsibilities when taking part in media interviews, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Friday. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. United’s head coach, Michael Carrick, said earlier that the club was proud of its culture of equality and diversity.

WORDS: 423 - MOVED: 02/20/2026 12:22 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5fd544a7a002d3f665f01b910de1e59b&mediaType=text

___

OLY--SPD-SPEEDSKATING-WOMEN’S 1500

Dutch speedskater Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong wins the 1,500 for her 1st Olympic gold

SUMMARY: Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong of the Netherlands has won her first Olympic gold and sixth career medal by finishing first in speedskating’s 1,500 meters at the Milan Cortina Winter Games. Her victory Friday delighted a large and loud crowd of orange-clad Dutch fans. Rijpma-de Jong clocked 1 minute, 54.9 seconds. Her time was was 0.06 faster than silver medalist Ragne Wiklund’s. Valerie Maltais of Canada took the bronze. American Brittany Bowe was fourth Friday — the same spot she was in the 1,000 meters and team pursuit in Milan. Bowe turns 38 next week and has said this would be her last Olympics.

WORDS: 416 - MOVED: 02/20/2026 12:17 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:924ac43fa9b05b3f916b628ff1e78909&mediaType=text

___

OLY--HKW-WOMEN’S WRAPUP

PWHL’s influence apparent at Olympics with OT medal games and the gap closing behind US and Canada

SUMMARY: The state of women’s hockey is on the rise after a competitive Olympic tournament and coupled with launch of PWHL. Though the U.S. and Canada met in the gold medal final for a seventh time in eight Olympics, other nations showed the competitive gap just might well be closing. And that’s a direct result of the the third-year league’s influence. The largest margin of victory was six goals, four years after Canada routed Switzerland 10-3 in the semifinals at Beijing. The league and sport were also banking on a post-Olympic boost, with the PWHL season set to resume next week.

WORDS: 866 - MOVED: 02/20/2026 10:40 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:953df796c0c89fc36d565e90321e5ed1&mediaType=text

___

SOC--VINÍCIUS-KOMPANY-MOURINHO

‘A huge mistake.’ Kompany hits out at Mourinho for Vinícius Júnior comments

SUMMARY: Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany has criticized José Mourinho for attacking the character of Vinícius Júnior after the Real Madrid star accused an opponent of racially insulting him during a Champions League match. Benfica coach Mourinho suggested that Brazil forward Vinícius, who is Black, had incited Benfica’s players with his celebrations after scoring the only goal in Tuesday’s playoff match. Vinícius accused Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni of calling him “monkey” during a confrontation after his goal. Kompany said Mourinho had made “a huge mistake and it’s something that we should not accept.”

WORDS: 500 - MOVED: 02/20/2026 10:22 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:aee1678272d3c4b453d001bf3cdd3722&mediaType=text

___

OLY--FIG-LIU’S GOLDEN MOMENT

Alysa Liu walked away from skating. Her fresh outlook when she returned helped her win Olympic gold

SUMMARY: Alysa Liu won Olympic gold in women’s figure skating by skating loose, smiling and doing it her own way. On Thursday night, the 20-year-old from California delivered a free skate that looked like a fun practice session, rather than a pressure test. She waved to friends and family and grinned through her program. She finished with the top score and beat Kaori Sakamoto and Ami Nakai. The win gave the U.S. its first women’s Olympic gold since 2002. It was the culmination for Liu of a two-year comeback after an abrupt retirement following the Beijing Games, when she was too burned out to continue.

WORDS: 986 - MOVED: 02/20/2026 8:44 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c8f8e792be4c2319683882bfbd3c8bb6&mediaType=text

___

OLY--FRE-HESS-LOSER SIGN

Olympic freeskier Hunter Hess flashes an ‘L’ sign, says he stands by his statement and loves the USA

SUMMARY: American freeskier Hunter Hess got to the end of his successful run in Olympic halfpipe qualifying, then bent his left thumb and forefinger into the shape of an “L.” He lifted it to his forehead and pointed at it with the other hand. The reason, he says, is because apparently, he’s a loser. The 27-year-old, who received that label from U.S. President Donald Trump at the start of the Olympics, says he used the episode as motivation. He qualified for Friday night’s halfpipe finals where he says he’s honored to represent the United States.

WORDS: 564 - MOVED: 02/20/2026 7:27 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b2fb244d2169ca742859a5120eb95831&mediaType=text

___

OLY--HKW-US-KNIGHT

Laila Edwards to Hilary Knight for Olympic final-tying goal is poetic for US on way to gold

SUMMARY: It was only fitting that the goal the U.S. scored to tie the gold-medal game in the final minutes of regulation against Canada was scored by Hilary Knight in her last Olympics on a tip of a shot from Laila Edwards in her first. The current face of women’s hockey in the U.S. got the goal with the primary assist going to a player who could be the future of the sport. Edwards said she felt honored just to play a small part in the final chapter of Knight’s legendary Olympic career. Megan Keller’s overtime goal sent Knight, Edwards and the rest of their teammates home with gold.

WORDS: 581 - MOVED: 02/20/2026 3:14 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3d7b73a94ebfb64683a6612e415973fb&mediaType=text

___

MOVING TOMORROW ___

—Olympics coverage

—CAR--NASCAR-Atlanta-Preview

—BOX--Barrios-Garcia

—BKC--NCAA-Initial Seeds

—BKC--T25-Michigan-Duke (NOTE: AP will not be providing live photos of this game given access restrictions imposed by Gazelle Group that conflict with AP standards. File photos will be used.)