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.

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UPCOMING

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HKN--SEASON PREVIEW

DESCRIPTION: The Carolina Hurricanes head into the season as the defending Stanley Cup champion but they will have a host of challengers led by Colorado, Florida, Dallas and more. All the teams will have an extra two games to get sorted out for the postseason courtesy of the NHL’s first expansion of the regular season in 30 years. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. Text, photos.

UPCOMING: By 09/24/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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HKN--WILD-KAPRIZOV

DESCRIPTION: Minnesota Wild star Kirill Kaprizov might have to alter his playing style this season after the departure of Mats Zuccarello, his closest friend on the team and longtime wingman on the first line. By Dave Campbell. 450 words, photo.

UPCOMING: By 09/24/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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HKN--PUCK DROP-ROOKIE WATCH

DESCRIPTION: Gavin McKenna will be firmly in the spotlight as the top pick in Toronto and is likely to be the favorite to win the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year. San Jose’s No. 2 pick, Ivar Stenberg, Washington’s Cole Hutson and Philadelphia’s Porter Martone are also in the mix. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. Text, photos.

UPCOMING: By 09/24/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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AS--ASIAN GAMES

DESCRIPTION: Swimming wraps up at the Asian Games with China expected to break its own record for the most gold won in the pool.

UPCOMING: By 09/24/2026 8:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Video, Text

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GLF--PRESIDENTS CUP

DESCRIPTION: The Presidents Cup begins with five matches of fourballs at Medinah Country Club. By Golf Writer Doug Ferguson. 850 words, photos. With Presidents Cup-Capsules and Presidents Cup-Results.

UPCOMING: By 09/24/2026 8:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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BBO--MLB-POSTSEASON-GUIDE

Thursday’s MLB clinching scenarios: 6 playoff spots up for grabs with 4 days left in season

SUMMARY: Major League Baseball’s postseason is rapidly approaching, with the Los Angeles Dodgers seeking a third straight World Series title. It remains to be seen how much some of the game’s biggest stars will be able to participate in the playoffs, though. The Dodgers are once again among the best teams in the big leagues, and they’ll have several challengers in October, including the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays. All three teams could finish the regular season with 100 wins or more. Los Angeles is rolling even though four-time MVP Shohei Ohtani’s health is a concern.

WORDS: 931 - MOVED: 09/24/2026 1:33 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:caf4f50997be16bf6cf962726b6d9016&mediaType=text

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BKL-SUN-MOHEGAN TRIBE

The Mohegan Tribe made an early bet on a WNBA team. Now the Sun is setting

SUMMARY: After 24 seasons, the Mohegan Tribe and the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun are parting ways. The tribe purchased the franchise in 2003, becoming the first Native American tribe to own a professional sports team. In May, the tribe’s business arm closed a $300 million deal with NBA Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta for the Rockets to buy the Sun and relocate the team to Houston. It’s an emotional goodbye for fans. The team had become a point of community pride for the Mohegan people and a platform to share their language, culture and values.

WORDS: 1091 - MOVED: 09/24/2026 1:26 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:bba3f147c115c0a79ae575ff996de954&mediaType=text

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US--NC STATE-ABUSE

Florida authorities arrest NC State’s ex-head trainer accused of sex abuse of Wolfpack male athletes

SUMMARY: Authorities in Florida have arrested N.C. State’s former director of sports medicine, who is accused of sexually abusing former Wolfpack male athletes under the guise of treatment. Robert M. Murphy Jr. was arrested Wednesday night and was being held in the Marion County Jail on out-of-state fugitive warrants from North Carolina. The county sheriff’s office there listed 23 charges of sexual battery and nine for felony sexual contact on its online database but offered no additional details. More than 30 athletes have outlined allegations against Murphy in civil lawsuits.

WORDS: 622 - MOVED: 09/24/2026 1:23 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1dd8959631bca9a8618d340ec05c1f2b&mediaType=text

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RAC--HORSE NAME CHANGE-HITLER

Austrian Painter horse renamed after complaint it referenced Adolf Hitler

SUMMARY: The Jockey Club has ruled that a racehorse known as Austrian Painter has been renamed Merrylegs after a review of a complaint that alleged it was a reference to Adolf Hitler. The horse’s name drew attention after winning his debut Monday at Horseshoe Indianapolis Racecourse. Hitler was born in Austria and was an artist before becoming the head of the Nazi Party in Germany. Owner and breeder Scott Herbertson said on social media it was a reference to Austrian painter Gustav Klimt and that his horse New Order was named for his favorite band. The Jockey Club said that horse had also been unnamed.

WORDS: 211 - MOVED: 09/24/2026 12:00 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9a5abbac9fa0639291dd0c97fb47edf0&mediaType=text

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CAR--F1-AZERBAIJAN GP PREVIEW

Antonelli aims to stay on target for F1 title in Baku a year after Piastri’s challenge crumbled

SUMMARY: Kimi Antonelli insists the Formula 1 title race is “not over” as he takes a vast 81-point lead into this week’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix. George Russell beat Antonelli in both practice sessions and a crash for Arvid Lindblad brought out the red flag. Antonelli has sounded cautious ahead of racing at a track which saw then-leader Oscar Piastri’s title challenge start to crumble a year ago. Antonelli’s lead is more than double the biggest advantage Piastri had last year and he’s coming off back-to-back wins.

WORDS: 867 - MOVED: 09/24/2026 11:27 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f26581f29a11023d7d24a62bd1e4b17d&mediaType=text

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BOX--FURY-JOSHUA

Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua fight set for December in Cardiff

SUMMARY: The long-awaited bout between British boxers Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will take place Dec. 11 in Cardiff. The two former heavyweight world champions will meet at the Principality Stadium, promoter Turki Alalshikh said Thursday. “For 15 years no one has been able to make this fight,” he posted on X. “ I can now confirm that Fury Vs. Joshua will be coming to the UK, as I promised British boxing fans.”

WORDS: 299 - MOVED: 09/24/2026 10:32 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ab89b358354d1c35ca0aaf3cf1c9d744&mediaType=text

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FBN--NFL RIO-MARACANA STADIUM

The stadium hosting the NFL’s first Rio game has a rich history, including World Cup title games

SUMMARY: American football will make its debut in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday at a futebol cathedral. The 78,000-seat Maracana Stadium is a revered soccer venue that has hosted two World Cup championship games, Olympic gold medal matches for men and women, and numerous clashes between South America’s biggest teams. Now the Baltimore Ravens and the Dallas Cowboys will play the NFL’s first game in Rio there, one of a record nine international contests on the league schedule this season. The stadium opened in 1950 to host the World Cup.

WORDS: 881 - MOVED: 09/24/2026 10:19 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0f09b4d78a8fcea297390da713f2f1fd&mediaType=text

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AS--ASIAN GAMES-SWIMMING

Shin Ohashi of Japan sets world record in 200-meter breaststroke at the Asian Games

SUMMARY: Shin Ohashi of Japan has set a world record in the 200-meter breaststroke at the Asian Games, swimming a time of 2 minutes 4.83 seconds. The old record was 2:05.48 set by Qin Haiyang of China in the 2023 swimming world championships in Fukuoka, Japan. Denis Petrashov of Kyrgystan was second in 2:08.67 and Cho Sung-jae of South Korea took bronze in 2:08.76.

WORDS: 548 - MOVED: 09/24/2026 8:45 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:043f4ddbbf47500ff3522cf87bb5f096&mediaType=text

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SOC--FIFA-INFANTINO

FIFA’s Infantino pledges ‘culture of dialogue’ after uproar over secretive World Cup sell-off plan

SUMMARY: FIFA’s embattled president Gianni Infantino says he is committed to a fresh culture of openness at the soccer body that is “not about generating positive headlines.” It’s two months into a deep rift for global soccer because of Infantino’s now-dropped $4.2 billion World Cup sell-off plan. Infantino this week offered to his critics an independent review of how FIFA is run and makes decisions. He says he’s had “positive messages about it ... and it is important that we keep listening to each other.” Infantino will chair an Oct. 15 meeting of the 37-member FIFA Council in Zurich.

WORDS: 557 - MOVED: 09/24/2026 8:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5f92464967d7f7dde603cf3bd09350b0&mediaType=text

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TEN--WORLD TEAM TENNIS-GAUFF

Coco Gauff will be a player-owner for the Florida franchise in the new season of World Team Tennis

SUMMARY: Coco Gauff will be a player-owner for the Florida franchise that will compete in the new season of World Team Tennis. The two-time Grand Slam singles champion is scheduled to play in the Florida Flamingos Racquet Club’s home matches on Dec. 14 and 15. The team will play in Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, home of the NHL’s Florida Panthers. Gauff grew up in Delray Beach, Florida. The Flamingos were one of the original franchises when World Team Tennis began in 1974 as a way of having a mixed-gender team format for tennis, with Hall of Famer Billie Jean King among the founders.

WORDS: 283 - MOVED: 09/24/2026 8:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:74e5b9ecde5796e65389b051f90188c6&mediaType=text

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AS--ASIAN GAMES-YOUTH

Asian Games are a proving ground for young athletes, from skateboarding to esports to swimming

SUMMARY: Kamus Wong is a 12 year-old skateboarder from Hong Kong at the Asian Games. She has no illusions of being ready yet for the Olympics. But the Asian Games are a proving ground. And Wong isn’t even the youngest competitor at the two-week Asian Games. That goes to Yuki Kurihara, an 11-year-old Japanese in esports. And they both make Yu Zidi, the 13-year-old Chinese swimmer who has won three gold medals, look like an old timer. In fact, Yu turns 14 in October.

WORDS: 327 - MOVED: 09/24/2026 7:02 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e44d749ca2fc00816b78d90d9027c0af&mediaType=text

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BKL--SUN-FINALE

Sun brace for an ‘emotional’ farewell as the WNBA franchise plays its final game in Connecticut

SUMMARY: The sun is setting on the Connecticut WNBA franchise as the team will play its final game in the state before it moves to Houston next year. It’s been an impressive run for the first independently owned team in the WNBA that moved from Orlando to Connecticut in 2003. There were three trips to the WNBA Finals, a record four All-Star Games and Connecticut was the first team to turn a profit in the league’s history.

WORDS: 1078 - MOVED: 09/24/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b86d836d1aa6c7b0bdd8d3cf69c1cd21&mediaType=text

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BBO--YANKEES-SLUGGING RICE

Ben Rice tops Aaron Boone’s preseason prediction of 39 homers, hitting 40th and then 41st

SUMMARY: Ben Rice has hit his 40th and 41st home runs this season, surpassing New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone’s spring training prediction. Rice tied for the American League home run lead in a 9-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. Boone had predicted Rice would hit 39 homers. Rice, now an All-Star, leads the Yankees with 97 RBIs and an .899 OPS. He has become a key player in an offense missing stars Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. Rice’s consistency and resilience have been praised by teammates and coaches.

WORDS: 759 - MOVED: 09/24/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:84251c9d1a4c95571a058214c4206bc6&mediaType=text

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SOC--ENGLAND-CHALLENGING SPAIN

Spain’s World Cup-winning stars are ‘built different’ and cannot be copied, says England’s Gordon

SUMMARY: England winger Anthony Gordon believes his national team would be making a mistake by trying to replicate Spain’s successful style of play in a bid to win major tournaments. Gordon has been speaking ahead of Saturday’s match between the European giants in the Nations League. Doubts over England’s ability to end the men’s team’s long wait to win a European Championship or World Cup returned over the summer when England conceded late goals to lose 2-1 to Argentina in the World Cup semifinals. Gordon says he might never get over a defeat that has prompted questions over whether England’s players have the quality to control these high-pressure games like the Spanish can. Gordon plays at Barcelona now and says Spain’s players are “definitely built different.”

WORDS: 468 - MOVED: 09/24/2026 5:49 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:22a97995d684d0228a1f3213be84adb9&mediaType=text

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BBO--DODGERS-OHTANI RETURNS

Shohei Ohtani gets a hit in his return to the Dodgers’ lineup after 2 weeks out

SUMMARY: Shohei Ohtani went 1 for 4 with two strikeouts and a walk in his return to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ lineup after missing two weeks with right biceps discomfort. He batted second as the designated hitter against the San Diego Padres. Ohtani singled in his first at-bat and just missed a homer in the seventh inning. Mookie Betts continued to lead off, although he was 0 for 4 with a strikeout. Ohtani last played on Sept. 7 and is hitting .277 with 30 homers this season. Josue De Paula, who impressed as the DH during Ohtani’s absence, was sent to Triple-A but could return for the postseason.

WORDS: 675 - MOVED: 09/24/2026 2:03 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e0ca4beffa79e80d8fc244c936f3070f&mediaType=text

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MOVING TOMORROW

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FBN--UNDER CENTER

NFL offenses have been shifting from shotgun to under center at a high rate this season. Through two weeks, 13 of the 32 teams have increased their rate of plays from under center by more than 10 percentage points, according to Sportradar, with the league-wide rate going from 34.7% last season to 42.3% so far this season.

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BKN--MAVERICKS-IRVING’S RETURN

Kyrie Irving addresses reporters at Mavericks media day almost 19 months since he last played.